Economic Opportunities Offered by TUT and CSIR Cannabis Hub

Economic Opportunities Offered by TUT and CSIR Cannabis Hub. Tshwane University of Technology and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have established a Cannabis Research Hub (CRH) that provides research and product development support for the medical cannabis and hemp industries.

Economic Opportunities Offered by TUT and CSIR Cannabis Hub

The TUT/CSIR Cannabis Research Hub was established in 2022 and is equipped with versatile equipment. Products and development services are provided. Training and capacity building are also offered at the hub all along the medical cannabis, hemp, and herbal products value chains.

Skhumbuzo Nkuna, an Advanced Diploma student in Analetical Chemistry who has been trained to operate the instrument at the Cannabis Research Hub.

Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, visited the hub with senior staff members. He explained that the collaboration with the CSIR allows the University to “take advantage of expert knowledge to help entrepreneurs and businesses produce high quality, safe products.”

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People from industry and entrepreneurs regularly visit the hub for business opportunities, said Prof David Katerere, Pharmaceutical Science Professor at TUT and holder of the Research and Development Platform in Pharmaceutical and Biotech Advancement in Africa.

In South Africa, cultivation is primarily focused on, as well as extraction to some extent,” said Prof Katerere. It is, however, generally difficult to enter an entire value chain because of the high barriers to entry. These factors include a lack of capital investment, limited access to skills, and technological limitations in extraction and manufacturing. Prof Katerere explained that the National Cannabis Master Plan identifies some gaps that need to be filled in order to de-risk entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Investing in an industrial-scale Supercritical Fluid extractor which utilizes carbon dioxide was a first on the African continent. Herbs and cannabis can be extracted as well as oils, fragrances, and spices are produced with this versatile instrument.

Professor Katerere said that other African countries often request the hub for growing cannabis-related small businesses. Importing and exporting permits, however, can be a complex process. Thus, coordination between state and regional agencies is essential to facilitate the movement of hemp and cannabis raw materials.

A broad framework for development and growth is provided by the National Cannabis Master Plan, which CRH works with. President Ramaphosa suggested that 130,000 jobs would be created by the cannabis industry in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

It is located in a region with good technical and technological capabilities, allowing for value addition within the region and accelerating the economic benefits from this sunrise industry in SADC.

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