The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula and Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), His Imperial Majesty Oba 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 Africa’s most influential mining and investment platforms.
The monarch’s participation signals Nigeria’s growing commitment to strategic partnerships, responsible resource development, and Africa-led economic growth within the global mining sector.
According to a press statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni is accompanied by prominent members of the Ooni Caucus, including Senator Gbenga Daniel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals; Senator Ekong Sampson; Senator Ireti Kingibe of the Abuja Senatorial District; and Chairman of Romulus Mining Limited, Mr. Segun Adebuti.
The statement noted that the royal-led delegation reflects Nigeria’s renewed focus on attracting investment while strengthening institutional cooperation across Africa’s extractive industries.
The 2026 Mining Indaba officially opened on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa’s legislative capital, under the theme “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships,” emphasizing collaboration and unity as key drivers of sustainable development across the continent’s mining value chain.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr. Gwede Mantashe, highlighted rising global uncertainty marked by geopolitical tensions and increasing competition among developed economies for control of natural resources in developing regions.
He cautioned that these dynamics pose serious threats to the sovereignty of resource-rich African nations and called on African countries to engage global investors from a position of collective strength.
Mantashe described the conference theme as both timely and strategic, urging African leaders to speak with one voice, deepen cooperation, and avoid destructive rivalry in negotiations with international partners. He further stressed the need for Africa to accelerate responsible exploration and mining while ensuring the continent captures greater value from its vast mineral resources.
Now in its 32nd edition, the four-day conference is taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and is expected to host over 10,500 delegates from around the world. Participants include more than 1,300 global investors, 1,450 corporate executives, and approximately 1,400 government officials.
Beyond high-level policy discussions, the event features a large-scale mining exhibition with over 500 participating companies, alongside intergovernmental summits, investment forums, interactive workshops, and innovation hubs focused on shaping the future of Africa’s mining industry.
The Ooni’s presence at the Indaba reinforces his expanding role in economic diplomacy and continental development advocacy, as well as Nigeria’s intention to position itself as a strategic player in Africa’s evolving mineral economy.