Malawi’s highly organised cannabis setup is attracting the attention of neighbouring countries keen to learn from its story as a leading and successful cannabis regional player.

Malawi’s Cannabis Regulatory Authority (CRA) recently hosted a delegation from the Zambia Defence Force National Service (ZDFNS), currently the only entity in Zambia legally permitted to cultivate and sell industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis.

The visit underscores Malawi’s emerging role as a mentor in the medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp industry from whom countries in the region can learn how to develop a regulatory framework and a thing or two about market dynamics.

As part of their week-long visit, the ZDFNS delegation toured Invegrow Ltd Facilities at Nangura Farm in Lilongwe. Invegrow was one of the first companies in Malawi to secure a licence for medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp and the team had the opportunity to observe cultivation, processing, and value-addition techniques, including the production of oils, hemp protein powder, smokables, and hemp tea.

From 31 March until 4 April 2025, ZDFNS members led by ZDFNS Deputy Commander Major General Ruben Mwewa (pictured above) were with representatives from the Malawi Defence Force National Services learning to understand Malawi’s structuring of its cannabis industry.

Unlike in Zambia where the ZDFNS is the only legally recognised cultivator of industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, Malawi has adopted a broader approach, allowing cooperatives, registered companies and partnerships to participate in cultivation, processing, and trade in cannabis.

The learning tour visited cannabis and hemp cooperatives and companies in Kasungu, Mzimba, and Lilongwe, where the delegation interacted with farmers and processors operating under Malawi’s progressive licensing system. The engagements were designed to provide valuable insights into the role of smallholder farmers and cooperatives in the industry and the potential for economic empowerment through cannabis cultivation.

The exchange of knowledge between Malawi and Zambia marks an important step in regional collaboration within the cannabis sector, as both nations explore the best approaches to regulate and benefit from this fast-growing industry, according to Malawi’s CRA.

Malawi’s relatively quick lift-off has partly been thanks to tax breaks and investment incentives provided by the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).

These incentives include tax holidays, import duty waivers on agro-based equipment, and reduced corporate tax rates. MITC offers a one-stop-shop service for investors, where all investment applications must be submitted. “Investors are required to meet the necessary conditions set by the government, including contributing to value addition, creating employment, and generating forex,” says CRA Director-General Dr Salipira Ketulo.

Forex earning is one of the reasons Malawi and Zambia have chosen the cannabis route, given that Africa’s industrial hemp is projected to possess a market potential of $2.4-billion.

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