On 29 April 2024 the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) joined the Eastern Cape Premier, Honourable Oscar Lubabalo Mabuyane, and the Eastern Cape MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Honourable Nonkqubela Pieters, in welcoming Cannabis cultivator, Medigrow, to the Coega Special Economic Zone, in Gqeberha. The MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Honourable Mlungisi Mvoko, and the MEC for Health, Honourable Nomakhosazana Meth, were also in attendance alongside the Premier.
Established in 2017, Medigrow has established 14 medicinal cannabis farms across the country. Medigrow’s newest facility, located in Zone 3 of the Coega SEZ, positions the Eastern Cape as the Cannabis industrial hub of South Africa.
Speaking on the socio-economic impact of the project, Premier Mabuyane explained that thousands of jobs would be created in the sector over the next few years: “The investment represents the biggest investment in this subsector in the province. The initial investment pledge of over R100 million for 2024 to commence with the indoor growing, packaging, extraction, and cigarette manufacturing operations will create about 90 direct employment opportunities.
We are working on attracting more investors to the Eastern Cape region as a national nodal point,” said Premier Mabuyane.
The Coega SEZ Medigrow facility will be used to cultivate indoor medicinal cannabis strains, inclusive of processing and packaging for domestic and export markets. With a goal to establish a network of superior cannabis producers in South Africa, Medigrow envisions that cannabis will become a widely accepted form of medicine.
MEC Mvoko emphasised the significant impact of welcoming new investments into the economy: “The launch of yet another investment holds promise for job creation, especially in areas where cannabis cultivation is prevalent. These linkages serve to strengthen the economy by providing a ready market for local producers. Furthermore, this investment marks just the beginning of a broader initiative, signaling potential for further economic expansion. The establishment of such ventures also nurtures connections with other regions, such as the Province of the Western Cape, and supports various processing activities,” said Mvoko.
During the event, Premier Mabuyane announced opportunities for farmers as well as various research and development programmes that will be implemented.
Medigrow adds to Coega SEZ’s burgeoning agroprocessing sector, joining the likes of Dynamic Commodities, the Natural Fibre Hub, Coega Biomass, to name a few.
