Mohalenyane Phakela
WHEN Lesotho made history in 2017 by becoming the first African country to legalize cannabis production, it signalled more than just a shift in agriculture—it opened the door to a budding new industry with global potential.
Riding that wave of progress, LuCan Laboratories (Pty) Ltd was born, ensuring Lesotho’s leap was not limited to cultivation but extended to world-class cannabis testing to produce and nurture it into a viable API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient).
Based in Maseru, LuCan Labs Holds the distinction of being Africa’s first accredited laboratory to offer the full panel of tests to release medicinal cannabis in-house.
A one stop shop that operates at an international standard, providing state-of-the-art analytical chemistry and microbiology services that ensure the safety, consistency, and quality of cannabis products both for general use and as an API.
Today LuCan Laboratories stands at the cusp of history, being the first such laboratory in Africa to test APIs that are destined into several European countries with scope of global expansion. This is a world class facility, not just because of the available testing equipment but also because its results are comparable with other Labs internationally. The LuCan Laboratories story – driven by respected entrepreneur Andre Bothma – is ample testimony of Prime Minister Sam Matekane’s mantra that the private sector should drive innovation and job creation.
The Lesotho Times this week went on a tour of Lucan Laboratories and can attest to the fact that in the heart of Maseru, there is an unfolding good story which, if replicated in various other industries, underpins the ability of the private sector and high-octane entrepreneurs like Mr Bothma to drive positive change for the good of the country.
“We offer comprehensive quality control testing using globally recognized compendial methods that are rigorously verified by experienced scientists,” Motlatsi Selele, LuCan’s Deputy Laboratory Manager, told the Lesotho Times.
LuCan Labs is more than just a testing facility, it is a hub of scientific innovation and training. The lab has built a dynamic team of 21 staff members, primarily made up of young science graduates from the National University of Lesotho and other international institutions. Notably, only four team members are over the age of 30, making it a dynamic youth-led powerhouse of expertise and innovation.
LuCan’s credibility is further solidified by its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, granted by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS). This prestigious certification attests to LuCan’s technical competence and its robust laboratory quality management system, aligning it with global benchmarks.
Now, LuCan is preparing to raise the bar once again.
“We are currently working towards achieving EUGMP certification. This will be another African first, and a game changer for our clients,” Mr Selele said.
EUGMP—the European Union Good Manufacturing Practice certification—will allow LuCan-tested cannabis products to enter the European market without undergoing additional testing, streamlining export processes and boosting investor confidence in Lesotho’s cannabis sector.
Leading in science
With a steadfast commitment to excellence and innovation, LuCan Labs is shaping the future of Africa’s medical cannabis industry—one test at a time.
“We are currently serving five local customers, including our sister company MG Health, which produces cannabis flower in Marakabei, a rural part of Maseru,” Mr Selele said.
“We carry out a variety of tests on cannabis products including cannabinoid profiles, terpenes, heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents, water content, pesticides, thin-layer chromatography, and microbiological analysis.
“Cannabis is a very complex drug that must be handled delicately and in a controlled environment. As the only facility of its kind in the country, LuCan Labs is vital to the national regulatory framework, as it would be impossible to monitor the safety of cannabis medicines without proper testing.
“Our plan is to become the leading African testing facility—capable of testing all pharmaceutical products to ensure they are free from impurities and safe for consumption.”
LuCan’s expertise has not gone unnoticed across the region.
“We currently have guests from the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) who are here to learn how we operate, so they can implement similar practices in their country, which also produces medical cannabis. Zambia has also shown interest in working with us—we will be helping them set up a similar facility,” he said.
Skilled and growing scientific team
Mr Selele said his lab currently includes four expert scientists trained at the facility, and nine junior scientists—of which three recently completed their internships and six with two years of experience. These four are:
- Mampoi Peete (joined February 2022)
- Selometsi Baholo and Ntau Mafisa (both joined October 2021)
- Rethabile Nthebe (joined February 2021)
“Our duty is to analyse all samples that come into the lab—from cannabis flower to other matrices. We test their potency and evaluate the role each compound plays in medicinal efficacy, since most of the products we handle are used for pharmaceuticals. It is crucial that these products meet international quality standards.
“We test based on the standards set by the destination country. Most of our clients export to Europe, so we align our testing with the European Pharmacopoeia. We first develop analytical methods, then use state-of-the-art instruments and techniques to determine the content and purity of each product.
“LuCan has greatly supported Lesotho’s cannabis market by enabling pre-sale product sampling for clients, ensuring compliance with quality controls and regulatory standards,” the four said.
The juniors: driving innovation from the ground up
The junior scientists at LuCan are young, ambitious, and deeply committed to advancing the continent’s cannabis and pharmaceutical industries.
- Motebang Moliko (29) from Qacha’s Nek holds a
Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (NUL, 2020). He joined LuCan in 2024 after a year at home, followed by a six-month internship at Metolong Authority, and volunteering at Tebellong Hospital in Qacha’s Nek as a lab technician. He aspires to become a cannabis analysis expert. - Liteboho Fokothi (26) from Mazenod, Maseru, holds a
BSc in Biotechnology (NUL, 2023). Joined LuCan for a six-month internship in February 2025. Hopes to become a consultant in the cannabis industry. - Malitha Matela (25) from Ha Koali, Teyateyaneng holds a
BSc in Microbiology from the University of Bejaia in Algeria (2022). Joined LuCan in November 2023. Plans to run her own laboratory in the future. - Kabelo Ntšekalle (27) from Mohlakeng, Mohale’s Hoek holds a
BSc in Biology and Chemistry (NUL, 2022). Joined in 2023. He aspires to become an expert in developing protocols, analytical methods, and reporting in the cannabis industry. - Bonolo Nalana (26) from Ha Ramokotjo, Mazenod, holds a
BSc in Biological Sciences from Wits University (2023). Joined LuCan in February 2025. Dreams of becoming an expert in pharmaceutical testing and microbiology. - Rosa Masoabi (26) from Teyateyaneng, Berea, holds a
BSc in Biotechnology (NUL, 2023). Joined in October 2024. She aspires to become a microbiology expert, particularly interested in discovering new viruses and understanding their impact on the human body.
Regional partnerships and knowledge sharing
LuCan’s impact has already extended beyond Lesotho. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) recently sent two representatives—Douglas Mukena and Patience Mutsiba—on a visit to learn from LuCan’s operations.
“We have been here since 8 June 2025 to launch an exchange programme between LuCan Labs and MCAZ.
“As Zimbabwe is one of the few countries that have legalised medical cannabis, we are here to learn cannabis analysis techniques and EU-GMP requirements. We are also establishing ties for study visits, proficiency testing, and collaborative analysis.
“We chose LuCan because it is the leading cannabis lab in the region. Since our arrival, we have already learned a lot that we can take back and implement. It will help Zimbabwe develop further and attract more investors.
“This marks the beginning of greater cooperation. We anticipate frequent exchanges, and eventually, we would like to see Zimbabwean scientists study here, and vice versa,” they said.
