Why the 2026 Mining Indaba is attracting more attention

Stephen Grootes speaks to Zeineb El Sayed, Mining Indaba Director of Government and Institutional partnerships about the dominant themes and early signals emerging from discussions, and what stakeholders should be watching as the week unfolds.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

The Mining Indaba is one of the biggest events in the African mining calendar.

Every year in Cape Town, mining companies, governments and investors meet to talk business, make deals and explore new projects.

This year, the buzz around the event feels stronger than usual.

The mining industry has faced tough times, but in recent months the rising prices for key metals and reforms aimed at encouraging investment has brought a renewed confidence to the sector.

This year’s theme is “Stronger Together: Progress Through Partnerships," highlighting the eagerness by the various stakeholders within the mining sector, such as governments, mining companies and investors who are all pushing the idea that working together is the best way to grow the industry and handle challenges.

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Zeineb El Sayed, Mining Indaba Director of Government and Institutional partnerships says there's definitely more positivity in the sector in recent months. 

"We're honestly seeing a real shift. We're seeing so much more of a focus on regional frameworks. We're hosting a SADC ministerial forum this year for the first time."

- Zeineb El Sayed, Director of Government and Institutional partnerships - Mining Indaba

"Post quite a big election year for the continent last year, we're seeing lots of new ministers, new governments, new parties who are just thinking about things in a much different way."

- Zeineb El Sayed, Director of Government and Institutional partnerships - Mining Indaba

"We hosted the ministerial symposium. We saw the ministers from Botswana, DRC. South Africa, Mozambique, sitting alongside each other really talking about these things quite frankly."

- Zeineb El Sayed, Director of Government and Institutional partnerships - Mining Indaba

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.