Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi leads business delegation to South Africa Mining Indaba
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, 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.
The monarch, who is the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), is attending the conference, which is regarded as one of Africa’s most influential mining and investment gatherings.
A statement issued on Monday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, disclosed that the Ooni arrived alongside members of the Ooni Caucus, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Gbenga Daniel; Senator Ekong Sampson; Senator Ireti Kingibe; and the Chairman of Romulus Mining Limited, Mr Segun Adebuti.
According to the statement, the Ooni’s participation reflects Nigeria’s commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, promoting responsible resource development and advancing Africa-led growth within the global mining sector.
The 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba officially opened on Monday in Cape Town, with discussions centred on cooperation and partnership-driven development across the continent’s mining industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe, said the conference was holding amid rising global uncertainty, marked by geopolitical tensions and competition for control of natural resources.
He warned that such dynamics pose serious threats to the sovereignty of resource-rich nations in Africa, describing the conference theme, “Stronger together: Progress through partnerships,” as timely and strategic.
The four-day conference, holding at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, is the 32nd edition of the African Mining Indaba and is expected to attract more than 10,500 delegates, including global investors, corporate executives and government officials.
