HempVest Africa is one of the first South African companies to receive an official commercial hemp permit from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, kick-starting its ambitions to produce a dynamic range of hemp products for both the local and international market.
- Plans to incubate emerging farmers and new entrants as key parts of hemp and CBD value chain
- Aims to become the number 1 vertically integrated cannabis company in Africa
HempVest Africa is one of the first South African companies to receive an official commercial hemp permit from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, kick-starting its ambitions to produce a dynamic range of hemp products for both the local and international market. As SA has traditionally imported these goods, President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his 2022 state of the nation address, acknowledged that the cannabis and hemp sector (valued at around R 28 billion) has the potential to create at least 130 000 new jobs, helping to drive ongoing GDP growth and poverty alleviation in the country.
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Hemp Vest Africa was issued a permit in 2019, the same year it was founded, by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to run various research projects across the cannabis value chain, from cultivation to extraction. The company, under its brand alkmi, then went on to develop a market-leading line of locally produced CBD offerings, including CBD oil for pets, cosmetics and edibles.
“We look forward to fully realising the future goals of the sector, as outlined in the National Cannabis Master Plan (NCMP), including the creation of local seed banks, innovative product development and the empowerment and training of emerging farmers and suppliers,” says Zaid Mohidin, founder and CEO of HempVest Africa. “We believe that for the ‘green rush’ (the current widespread optimism within the cannabis industry) to continue and be successful, inclusive participation needs to be prioritised to ensure that everyone can reap the benefits. Having a license is the easy part – focusing on producing world-class product, at the lowest possible price, that will enable us to be globally competitive and take advantage of downstream prospects, is what it’s all about.”
With the South African Cannabis/CBD Industry Landscape Report 2022 estimating that the market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 28.4% between 2022 and 2026, HempVest Africa plans to utilise its state-of-the-art 21 ha facility to incubate new entrants through its out grower programme, to expand the sector further over the next 12-18 months.
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According to Mohidin, the company seeks to forge partnerships that help identify and implement viable commercial solutions that contribute to inclusive economic growth, employment creation and community capacity building, “The next strategic phase for the business is to acquire a Section 22C SAHPRA licence, enabling us to leverage key opportunities within the hemp and marijuana medicinal markets.”
Hemp, characterised as a cannabis plant that contains 0.2% or less THC (the active ingredient that causes inebriation), currently has 55 000 listed end-products including livestock feed, complimentary medicines, rope, building materials, biofuel, textiles, consumer goods and beauty products.
About HempVest Africa
HempVest Africa is a 100% black-owned South African company, established in 2019, specialising in the production of premium grade cannabis plants and products. The business was the first to produce high quality CBD flower, extracts and related products in South Africa and aims to be Africa’s leading, vertically integrated cannabis company; providing best-in-class services and turn-key solutions to all clients, investors and businesses looking to take on the cannabis world.
