KKOG sets up first cannabis extraction plant in Zim

King Kong Organics (KKOG) Zimbabwe a subsidiary of KKOG Global has established a plant in Msasa in Harare and a farm in Chegutu where it is targeting to grow, process and export cannabis for medicinal purposes.

The Government licenced 57 companies to cultivate herbal cannabis in 2018 and so far only KKOG has emerged the front runner with the planting of 1000 ha of mbanje and construction of a state-of-the- art laboratory and plant. The rest are yet to do anything.

Ministry of Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda in her report at the ground-breaking ceremony in Mukuvisi Industrial Park, which lies between Msasa and Msasa Park, said the plant will provide a great opportunity for young scientists and researchers to learn and develop new medicines specifically from Zimbabwe.

The initiative would enable Zimbabwe to become a leader in the medical tourism industry in Africa, gaining a stake in the US$56 billion global industry in the process.

“The next step on our Zimbabwe development road map will be the implementation of our first medicinal Green Zone in Victoria Falls, tourism as we know brings US$500 million per year into the national economy,” said Dr Sibanda.

She also added that with the addition of the KKOG Green Zone Partnership with Zimbabwe, will transition the young generation’s lives.

KKOG chief executive officer Mr Rene Joseph said the firm’s clients like the fact that their products will be created in Africa and it creates a lot of unique synergies with different people and will be a great benefit to Zimbabweans.

aid after completing one facility, they are planning to bring in doctors, researchers and scientists so that they can develop new products.

“KKOG believes that Africa has the ability to control the cannabis industry as a whole and with the right groups and partnerships, it will have a large portion of the market share if not all,” he said.

The company expects to complete facilities, sign partnerships with universities to help students work in factories, the laboratories and study company chemicals, and learn about cannabis extraction. Cannabis has been found useful in treating the effects of cancer, HIV and Covid 19 and research continues.
The company said it is currently licensed with 300 hectares in addition to 2,5ha of greenhouses in Zimbabwe.

KKOG also has a regional presence in many African countries like Rwanda, Malawi, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, and soon in Sri Lanka. KKOG has the only cannabis extraction facility in DRC.-The Herald