The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II has arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, to lead a high-level Nigerian delegation to the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba Conference, one of the continent’s most influential mining and investment gatherings.
In a press statement on Monday signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni was said to have arrived alongside key members of the Ooni Caucus, including Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals; Senator Ekong Sampson; Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Abuja Senatorial District; and Chairman of Romulus Mining Limited, Mr. Segun Adebuti.
The statement noted that the Ooni’s participation underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strategic partnerships, responsible resource development, and Africa-led growth in the global mining sector.
The Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 officially opened on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa’s legislative capital, with a strong focus on cooperation and partnership-led development across the continent’s mining industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, said the conference was holding amid rising global uncertainty, marked by increasing geopolitical tensions and competition among developed economies for control over the natural resources of developing nations.
He warned that such dynamics pose serious threats to the sovereignty of resource-rich countries, many of which are in Africa.
Against this backdrop, Mantashe described the theme of the 2026 Indaba “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships”as both timely and strategic. He stressed that the theme goes beyond a slogan, calling on African nations to act collectively, speak with one voice, and avoid destructive competition in engagements with global powers and investors.
The minister further emphasized Africa’s development priorities, calling for deeper cooperation across the entire mining value chain. According to him, the continent must accelerate responsible exploration and mining while ensuring that Africa captures greater value from its vast mineral endowment.
The four-day conference, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, marks the 32nd edition of the African Mining Indaba. It is expected to attract more than 10,500 delegates from Africa and across the globe, including over 1,300 global investors, 1,450 corporate executives, and about 1,400 government officials.
In addition to a large-scale mining exhibition featuring more than 500 companies, the event’s programme includes intergovernmental summits, investment forums, interactive workshops, as well as technology and innovation hubs aimed at shaping the future of Africa’s mining industry.