Johannesburg, South Africa — Following the highly successful SAPHEX 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre, the event has reaffirmed its position as Africa’s premier platform for the pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare sectors, with an increasing focus on the burgeoning medical cannabis industry.
A Gathering of Industry Leaders and Innovators
The event brought together an impressive roster of speakers and industry experts, providing invaluable insights into the future of cannabis cultivation, regulation, and market expansion. The conference opened with Juan Fourie, Founder of SANCAP, welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a day of strategic discussions and networking. Jacqui Ramage, Director of ProPharmers, introduced the integration of MCBC within SAPHEX, emphasizing Africa’s emerging role in the global medical cannabis landscape. Throughout the two days, industry leaders shared their expertise:
- Gabriel Theron, CEO & Co-Founder of Cilo Cybin, presented on extraction methodologies in medicinal cannabis manufacturing.
- Greg Ondrejkovic, Technical Director at EcoGreen Analytics, facilitated a panel on laboratory testing requirements.
- Nic Abbingh, Managing Partner of Cannabis-drying.com, discussed EU-GMP compliant drying techniques.
- Tanya Clarke, Founder of Invegrow, provided insights into medicinal cannabis facility ownership in Africa.
- Constant Beckerling, Director & CEO of AgriSmart Engineering, showcased innovations in cannabis facility engineering.
- Adrian Coutts, a master cultivator, led a panel on cultivation best practices.
- Shaad Vayej, Attorney and Cannabis Regulatory Expert, addressed regulatory hurdles and routes to market.
On the second day of SAPHEX, the focus shifted to the medical cannabis market, featuring an impressive lineup of expert speakers and critical topics. The agenda continued with discussions on innovation and regulation:
- Wesley Petzer delivered a keynote on “Cannabis Nutrients And Their Patient Outcomes”, leaning into how nutrient strategy, genetics, and cultivation decisions tie into patient outcomes. He focused largely on craft outcomes at scale and raising quality standards in the medical space.
- Michael Rosmarin, Co-Founder and Scientific Officer of Nexus Diagnostics, addressed “Cannabis Biosecurity and Pathology,” emphasizing laboratory testing, disease prevention, and quality control.
These sessions highlighted the critical role of scientific rigor, innovation, and regulatory compliance in establishing South Africa as a global leader in medical cannabis. The event covered a wide range of topics essential to advancing the industry.
Covering Essential Topics For Industry Advancement
During Extraction Methodologies in Medicinal Cannabis Manufacturing, experts discussed the latest techniques for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes, emphasizing the importance of purity, efficiency, and scalability. Optimized extraction methods are vital for producing high-quality medicinal products that meet international standards—an area of keen interest for US companies seeking reliable, compliant processing solutions.
The presentation on Cannabis Laboratory Testing Requirements, revealed how accredited testing is fundamental for ensuring product safety, potency, and consistency. Discussions focused on the latest testing protocols, quality assurance, and the importance of laboratory accreditation—topics directly relevant to the US market, where rigorous testing regulations are a cornerstone of compliance and consumer trust.
During Step 1 Towards Export: EU-GMP Compliant Drying, attendees explored best practices for drying cannabis in accordance with European Union Good Manufacturing Practices (EU-GMP). Achieving such standards is critical for export readiness, especially for US companies aiming to access global markets with strict regulatory requirements.
When it came to Medicinal Cannabis Facility Ownership in Africa – Insights,,the conversation highlighted legal frameworks, ownership models, and investment opportunities within Africa’s evolving landscape. As the US market matures, understanding international ownership and operational structures becomes increasingly important for multinational corporations.
During Medicinal Cannabis Facility Engineering Technologies, Innovations in facility design and automation were showcased, emphasizing scalable, compliant, and environmentally sustainable infrastructure—key factors for US companies expanding into international markets.
Regulatory pathways, licensing processes, and market entry strategies were thoroughly examined during South Africa’s Medicinal Cannabis Regulatory Hurdles, Solutions, and Routes to Market, from Seed-to-Sale. These insights are crucial for US companies navigating complex regulations domestically and seeking to establish a foothold in Africa and beyond.
The Cannabis Nutrients and Their Importance in Patient Outcomes session underscored how tailored nutrient formulations can impact product efficacy and patient safety—topics of interest for US cultivators focused on medicinal quality and consistent patient results.
Wesley Petzer’s keynote and related discussions, Cannabis Biosecurity and Pathology, emphasized the importance of pathogen control, biosecurity measures, and disease management in cultivation. These practices are essential for meeting international standards and ensuring product safety—vital for US companies aiming for global export.
The panel, Hybrid Innovation: Merging Specialised Biotech with Traditional Pharma and Cannabinoids, explored how biotech advances are transforming medicinal cannabis, creating new formulations, and expanding therapeutic applications—an area with significant growth potential for US biotech firms. Expanding Safe Patient Access to South African Cannabinoid Medicines — A Fully Compliant Clinical Partnership Model (Akos Bio) focused on establishing compliant clinical trial models and partnerships to improve patient access, highlighting the importance of regulatory adherence—a critical consideration for US companies involved in clinical research and product development.
During SAPC Cannabis Inspectorate — What You Need to Know, understanding inspection standards and compliance requirements from the South African Pharmacy Council was a key topic, offering lessons applicable to US regulators and industry stakeholders. Lastly, during Cannabis into 2027, future projections and strategic planning for the cannabis industry were discussed, emphasizing the importance of staying ahead of regulatory changes, technological advancements, and market trends.
Why These Topics Matter to the USA
While these sessions centered on South Africa’s evolving cannabis landscape, the principles and challenges discussed are highly relevant to the US market. As US states and companies aim to expand globally, understanding international standards, regulatory hurdles, and technological innovations becomes crucial. Topics like extraction, lab testing, biosecurity, and compliance are universal pillars of the industry—vital for ensuring product safety, quality, and market access worldwide.
Moreover, engaging with Africa’s emerging industry offers US companies early-mover advantages, access to new markets, and opportunities for collaboration. Attending and learning from events like SAPHEX ensures American enterprises stay informed, competitive, and aligned with global best practices.
A Country Coming Together As A Cannabis Industry
Petzer, a global cannabis consultant specializing in cultivation systems, commercial strategy, and market transition, shared his thoughts on the event: “The event was truly inspiring. It demonstrated that South Africa is beginning to come together as an industry, and that our country, with its rich and historical background, is ready to support the growth of its cannabis sector. International consumers and markets are about to take notice, and we need to start showcasing South African cannabis to the world.”
He continued, “The event also showed America that we’re forming our own cannabis communities—it’s about encouraging local cultivators and industry players to unite and present high-quality products on the international stage. It was encouraging to see cultivators and industry leaders marketing themselves confidently, demonstrating that we’re building a strong, connected community. And the after-parties? They were fantastic. This is just the beginning for South African cannabis.”
Looking Forward
SAPHEX 2026 has set a clear trajectory for South Africa’s cannabis industry—highlighting innovation, collaboration, and international integration. The event demonstrated that South Africa’s regulatory progress and agricultural strengths position it as a key player in the global medical cannabis arena. With industry leaders, expert speakers, and a growing community of cultivators and entrepreneurs, the country is on the cusp of becoming a major hub for research, cultivation, and export.
As Petzer and others emphasized, the foundation is being laid for South Africa to showcase its high-quality products to the world. The future looks bright, and SAPHEX 2026 has proven to be a pivotal moment in this journey.
A Brief Bio of Wesley Petzer
Wesley Petzer is a renowned international cannabis consultant, based in the Netherlands and originally from South Africa. He specializes in cultivation systems, commercial strategy, and market transition. Wesley works globally as a consultant for Atami Nutrients, helping companies shift from legacy operations to modern, regulated cannabis markets. His expertise spans cultivation planning, input economics, and long-term strategic development across diverse regulatory environments.
Having worked extensively across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, Wesley brings a connected-systems perspective rooted in agriculture, economics, and human decision-making. His work aims to optimize cultivation practices, improve input efficiency, and facilitate sustainable market transitions.
Atami Nutrients is a leading innovator in cannabis and horticultural nutrients, dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable inputs for growers worldwide. With a focus on research and development, Atami offers a comprehensive range of products designed to optimize plant growth, increase yields, and ensure compliance with international standards. Their commitment to quality and sustainability positions them as a trusted partner for cultivators aiming to excel in modern, regulated markets.
