Botswana enters hemp industrialisation

Speaking at the launch of activations for the Botswana Hemp Impact Conference (BHIC) 2025 themed Discover the Future of Hemp in Gaborone recently, Kennedy explained that historically, entire communities had been left behind in new economic sectors simply due to lack of exposure. She however, emphasised that as Botswana enters the space of hemp and cannabis industrialisation, they are determined not to repeat that mistake.

“The IETD and its partners call on the media to play a critical role in ensuring that reliable, relevant, and timely information reaches every corner of the country. We believe that with widespread awareness, citizens across rural and urban Botswana particularly youth and women can be empowered not just to participate, but also to innovate. We see hemp and cannabis not as elite industries, but as opportunities to democratize access to knowledge, to create decent jobs, and to build inclusive value chains that serve the future of all Batswana," she said.