Enugu is positioning itself as a rising technology powerhouse as it prepares to host the 2026 Enugu Tech Festival (ETF), a four-day innovation gathering scheduled for February 24 to 27 at the International Conference Centre.
With an estimated 50,000 participants expected, ETF 2026 is set to draw startup founders, software developers, investors, policy thinkers and global technology executives to the Coal City. The festival builds on the success of its maiden edition, which attracted nearly 30,000 attendees and firmly placed Enugu on Nigeria’s expanding tech map.
Anchored on the theme, “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” the festival reflects the reinvention agenda championed by Peter Mbah. The initiative aligns with the administration’s broader development philosophy of leveraging innovation, digital infrastructure and enterprise to drive economic transformation.
Under the coordination of the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh, the state has prioritised digital skills development, infrastructure upgrades and private-sector partnerships. According to the Commissioner, ETF 2026 is designed to connect young innovators directly with investors and industry experts capable of refining and commercialising their ideas.
Technology experts from the United States, Canada and other global innovation hubs are expected to participate, not only as speakers but as collaborators offering technical guidance and investment insight to emerging startups.
The programme will feature keynote sessions, hackathons, coding labs and workshops covering artificial intelligence, blockchain, smart-city systems, nanotechnology, biotechnology and green tech solutions. A key highlight is the “Inventors Deal Room,” a dedicated investment platform where founders can pitch to venture capital firms, angel investors and corporate partners.
Former Minister of Power, Chinedu Nebo, described innovation-driven platforms such as ETF as essential infrastructure for future economic growth, stressing that intellectual capital rather than natural resources will define competitiveness in the years ahead.
Beyond the main conference, outreach programmes targeting secondary schools, polytechnics and universities across Enugu State aim to cultivate long-term talent pipelines in software development, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
With infrastructure upgrades underway, rising investor interest and growing national attention, ETF 2026 is being positioned not merely as a technology event but as a strategic instrument in Enugu’s ambition to transition from its coal-powered past to a digitally driven future.
