Johannesburg ZA
When Africa's cannabis industry meets in one place, it's in Johannesburg. The Cannabis Expo is the continent's largest and most renowned cannabis and hemp trade fair and returns to the Sandton Convention Centre from May 29 to 31, 2026. Over three days, hundreds of exhibitors showcase products, technology and services for medicine, agriculture and lifestyle.
South Africa decriminalized cannabis possession and cultivation for private use back in 2018 and has since been working on a commercial framework. The Cannabis Expo has become the central showcase for this. Visitors can learn about legal supply channels, meet producers, sample products and participate in masterclasses. A dedicated scientific symposium, the International Cannabis Symposium, brings together researchers and medical professionals.
Beyond the medical sector, the trade fair also focuses on industrial hemp. Building materials, textiles, food and cosmetics play an important role, as do cultivation equipment and extraction systems for industrial operations. The accompanying Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Summit deepens these topics through panels and workshops, while a Mixology Festival featuring drinks, music and street food provides additional programming.
For European companies, Johannesburg is a strategically important location. South Africa already exports medical cannabis to Germany and is developing into an important production hub. If you want to get to know the African market, the trade fair offers a compact introduction over three days.