Alfred Tembo
Africa – Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy, Africa’s pioneering institution in cannabis education, has reached a significant milestone by achieving international accreditation. This achievement underscores the academy’s dedication to fostering growth in the global cannabis and hemp industries.
Founded over five years ago as an educational startup, Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy has become a key player in cannabis education, offering a range of courses designed to empower individuals and businesses in the sector. Among its offerings are Cannabis Industry 101, Cannabis and Hemp Business Mastery Programme, and Cannabis Production and Management.
The academy’s Higher Certificate in Cannabis Production and Management has received accreditation from the Council on Higher Education (CHE), an internationally recognized accreditation body. The program is registered at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, signaling the quality and relevance of the education provided.
Trenton Birch, CEO and co-founder of Cheeba Africa, expressed his pride in this landmark achievement. “Our four-year journey to reach this accreditation milestone has been rigorous, but we are excited to set this benchmark in cannabis education,” Birch said in a statement. “It’s a proud moment for our industry and for Africa as we lead the way in one of the most critical sectors of our time.”
Linda Siboto, Director and co-founder of Cheeba, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative power of education in building a world-class cannabis industry. “It’s an honour to be part of this initiative, which recognises the importance of education in shaping a sustainable and professional cannabis sector.”
This milestone comes at a crucial time when cannabis is gaining recognition across Africa, with many countries exploring the potential economic benefits of the industry. The success of Cheeba Africa has sparked conversations across the continent about the importance of education and regulatory frameworks to guide the sector’s growth.
In Zimbabwe, where medical cannabis is also an emerging industry, Munyaradzi Chedondo, Marketing and Business Development Director at African Medical Cannabis Biotech Pvt Ltd, lauded Cheeba Africa’s achievement. “Cheeba Africa has taken a great initial step,” he said, but noted that the industry faces challenges such as limited market access and regulatory hurdles.
“In Zimbabwe, we started with about 47 licenses for medical cannabis in 2019, but by the time it came to renewal, only five companies remained,” Chedondo revealed. Despite such challenges, he stressed the importance of incorporating medicinal cannabis into the medical field and called for greater market development.
The move towards international recognition of cannabis education in Africa is timely, especially as other countries like Botswana consider entering the cannabis market as part of broader efforts to attract foreign investment.
With its accreditation, Cheeba Cannabis and Hemp Academy is poised to continue its leadership role in shaping the future of cannabis education on the continent and beyond.
