Enugu Targets 50,000 for 2026 Tech Festival as State Ramps Up Innovation Drive
Enugu State is gearing up to host what could become one of Nigeria’s largest regional tech gatherings, with a target of 50,000 participants for the upcoming 2026 Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0). The announcement was made as the state formally inaugurated its Central Planning Committee for the event, which is scheduled to run from February 24–27, 2026, under the theme: “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.”
The initiative builds on the momentum of ETF 2025, which held in May and attracted over 28,000 digital and in-person participants — including startups, tech innovators, policy shapers, and investors from across Nigeria.
From Legacy to Leapfrogging: Enugu’s Digital Agenda
Speaking at the news conference in Enugu, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, emphasized that ETF 2.0 aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s broader transformation blueprint, which aims to position Enugu as a tech-driven, knowledge-based economy.
“Governor Mbah is not just embracing the future — he’s engineering it,” Ezeh said. “ETF 2.0 will not only be a festival but a strategic convergence point for talent, capital, energy transition, and policy alignment.”
The festival’s theme — Coal to Code — captures Enugu’s symbolic and literal shift from a legacy coal economy to a digitally empowered, innovation-led future.
ETF 2.0: Strategic Planning for Scale and Impact
The newly inaugurated Central Planning Committee is structured into two core components:
- A Local Organising Committee (LOC) composed of Enugu-based tech professionals, responsible for event logistics, budget design, and community engagement.
- An Advisory Board comprising senior technocrats, policy experts, and private sector stakeholders tasked with strategic oversight, content development, and institutional partnerships.
“ETF 2.0 will feature world-class keynotes, panel discussions, capacity-building workshops, and cutting-edge exhibitions,” Ezeh added. “We are crafting a programme that will speak directly to energy-tech convergence, innovation ecosystems, youth employment, and smart governance.”
The Board is expected to leverage its national and international networks to secure high-profile collaborations with industry giants, academia, development partners, and tech-focused MDAs.
Innovation Meets Infrastructure: A Festival with Purpose
More than a networking event, ETF 2.0 is positioned as a catalyst for ecosystem development. It will foster cross-sector collaboration, fuel digital entrepreneurship, and provide a platform for edtech, cleantech, and smart city solutions.
According to Ezeh, the festival will deepen:
- Access to knowledge through curated learning tracks and technical labs.
- Startup visibility via pitch sessions and investor showcases.
- Policy reform dialogue to align state-level innovation policy with federal and global best practices.
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: Why ETF 2.0 Is a Signal Event for Nigeria’s Tech Regions
The scaling up of ETF to 50,000 participants marks a turning point for regional tech decentralisation in Nigeria. While Lagos remains the country’s dominant innovation hub, Enugu’s proactive investments in events like ETF indicate a new phase of tech localisation and inclusive digital growth.
By tying energy transition to tech innovation, Enugu is uniquely positioning itself within the Blue and Green Economy discourse, offering both environmental relevance and economic diversification potential.
BOTTOM LINE:
The 2026 Enugu Tech Festival is not just an event — it’s a statement of intent. It signals Enugu’s rise as a regional digital powerhouse, capable of hosting global-standard tech convenings and anchoring a thriving innovation ecosystem in southeastern Nigeria.
With the right partnerships and execution, ETF 2.0 could become a national benchmark for state-led tech transformation in Nigeria.
