Enugu Tech Festival pushes digital ambition
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has reinforced the state’s growing reputation as an emerging technology hub. The four-day festival, held from February 24 to 27,
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has reinforced the state’s growing reputation as an emerging technology hub.
The four-day festival, held from February 24 to 27, 2026 at the Enugu International Conference Centre, surpassed its projected 50,000 attendance target and trended among the top five global conversations on social media during the event.
Declaring the festival open, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah described the global technology revolution as a new economic renaissance powered by ideas, data and innovation rather than natural resources.
He said Enugu State was deliberately repositioning its economy to compete in the digital age, adding that the festival reflects his administration’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy.
The event was convened by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Lawrence Ezeh, under the theme, “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” symbolising the state’s transition from its historic coal mining roots to a technology-focused future.
ETF 2.0 brought together policymakers, startup founders, investors, regulators and members of the diplomatic community in what organisers described as one of the largest technology gatherings in Nigeria’s South-East.
Read Also: Fed Govt bans collection of taxes, levies on highways
One of the highlights of the festival was the Design Thinking Challenge curated by innovation strategist Brian Echeji. Selected startups received a ₦30 million grant from TD Africa to scale their products. Additional funding support was also announced for training initiatives, prototype development and community technology hubs.
Founder of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, delivered a keynote address, urging young innovators to build scalable solutions capable of competing globally.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm; Danish Consul-General in Lagos, Jette Bjerrum; Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida; Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi; and business leaders including Chioma Ekeh of TD Africa and Kingsley Eze of Tenece.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting research commercialisation and youth entrepreneurship across the country.
A notable feature of the opening ceremony was the co-hosting role played by Nigerian radio host, actor and filmmaker Lorenzo Menakaya.
Menakaya, known for anchoring major cultural events including the Africa Movie Academy Awards, brought a creative dimension to the largely policy-driven gathering. On Web3 Day, he performed a rendition of “Ordinary People” by Cobhams Asuquo, drawing applause from participants and adding an artistic touch to discussions centred on blockchain, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Among other dignitaries present were former Minister of Power, Barth Nnaji, and Professor Efthymia Ugo, a Greek physician, underscoring the cross-sector and international participation at the festival.
