The emerging legal medical cannabis and hemp industries are expanding globally, including on the African continent, where multiple countries have modernized their laws and regulations to permit some form of production and commerce. Many other African countries are working to launch legal industries, including Ghana and Botswana.

Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, published the Cannabis Act of 2025. The measure provides “for the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, production, storage, distribution, import and export of cannabis for medicinal, scientific or research or industrial purpose.”

Unfortunately, the fees and framework being pursued may leave many aspiring industry members in Botswana on the outside looking in. The barrier to entry in the nation could prove too high to overcome.

“As measures foreseen in the new regulations on medicinal cannabis and hemp in Botswana, published on January 12th of this year, they are raising a wave of criticism and jeopardizing international research partnerships. According to some experts, the high licensing fees set by the government seem to favor only large, export-oriented companies.” CannaReporter stated in its original coverage.

An effective regulatory approach toward a national cannabis industry will always include opportunities for larger entities, including licenses for exports. However, there also needs to be opportunities for small and mid-sized companies if a nation’s industry is to ever reach its full potential and provide sufficient economic opportunities for the masses.

Ghana is also reportedly pursuing licensing fees that are larger than some industry advocates would like.

“Ghana’s proposed hemp framework, made public late last year, raises basic questions about what policymakers are trying to achieve, given a fee structure that is wildly out of step with the realities of an emerging agricultural sector.” reported HempToday.

“The recommended fees start at $9,000 for farms up to 0.4 hectares, and rise to $45,000 per hectare for larger operations; additional annual regulatory fees run a 20% of the base license. Separate fees are set for base licenses that cover processing, export, transport, research, and other activities.” the outlet also reported.

All responsible, hardworking people and entities should have a fair chance to chase their goals and dreams in the emerging legal cannabis industry, in Ghana, Botswana, the rest of Africa, and throughout the world. Whether they ultimately succeed depends on several factors, but fees should be sensible to help ensure that people have a reasonable chance to get into the industry, especially in jurisdictions that desperately need meaningful economic opportunities.