The 2026 edition of the Enugu Tech Fest commenced today at the International Conference Centre in Enugu, attracting tech enthusiasts from across the country.
The second edition of the annual event is billed to be larger than the premier edition. This year’s edition aims to attract 50,000 attendees. ETF 2.0 is a flagship initiative of the Enugu State Government. It is championed by the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, headed by Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh.
The 2026 edition of the Tech event is themed ” Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.” It symbolises the state’s pivot from its mining history to a digital-first economy. The Executive Governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah, flagged off the event, urging Ndi Enugu to embrace Tech.
In his inaugural speech, Mbah urged Ndi Enugu to embrace digital technology and master Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and semiconductor design. He stated that Enugu State is shifting from a natural resource-based state to a technology-inclined one.
Attendees on the opening day of the event include the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm. Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy; and Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group.
Their attendance highlights their growing influence in Enugu’s Tech ecosystem, an important indicator of more FDI and global attention.
Enugu’s Focused Pivot to Technology
The Enugu Tech Fest follows the flag off of the new Haier factory in the centre of Enugu. The factory is designed to jump-start the state’s manufacturing sector and technology incubation. Both events reflect Enugu’s determination to transition to a technology-powered state. The goal is to upgrade and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and local talent.
The event is slated to last four days. The following days will be billed to address talent and startups, emerging tech, and other important topics for the ecosystem.
Enugu is fast becoming a national hub for progressive events. This is a promising development for the state’s hospitality sector and local economy.
