Enugu, once synonymous with coal mining, is charting a bold new course toward digital innovation as it prepares to host the 2026 Enugu Tech Festival, an event officials hope will transform the state into a regional technology hub.
On Thursday, the state government inaugurated the Central Planning Committee for the festival, which will run from February 24 to 27, 2026, under the theme “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.”
The committee, announced by Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, comprises a Local Organising Committee and an advisory board that draws talent from Enugu, across Nigeria, and the diaspora.
“Under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership, we are working to create an ecosystem that fosters creativity, enhances skills, and promotes sustainable development,” Ezeh told journalists following the inauguration.
The festival, Ezeh said, aims to highlight Enugu’s transformation from a resource-driven economy into a centre for technology and innovation. “The Enugu Tech Festival serves as a testament to this vision, emphasising our commitment to integrating technology into our daily lives for economic growth and societal advancement.”
The event is expected to build on the momentum of its inaugural edition in early 2025, which drew over 28,000 digital participants nationwide. The first festival focused on discussions ranging from artificial intelligence to digital entrepreneurship and featured contributions from local startups and international tech players.
Speaking about his recent attendance at VivaTech 2025 in Paris, Ezeh expressed a desire to replicate the essence of global tech gatherings in Enugu. “Being part of such a prestigious event allowed me to network with visionaries and pioneers, gaining invaluable experience that I now bring back to Enugu,” he said. “Our aim in 2026 is to replicate the essence of the Viva event right here in our city.”
The 2026 edition will feature educational exchanges, innovation showcases, and networking sessions designed to foster collaboration among innovators and entrepreneurs. Organisers also plan to spotlight renewable energy solutions and sustainable technology as part of Enugu’s broader push to align with global sustainability goals.
Since its launch, the Enugu Tech Festival has sought to position the city as a credible player in Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem, which has largely centred around hubs like Lagos and Abuja. The push aligns with broader efforts across Nigeria to decentralise technological growth and create new regional centres of innovation.
As preparations for the 2026 festival gather steam, stakeholders hope it will attract investors, nurture local startups, and inspire young people to see technology as a pathway to economic empowerment.
“Coal built Enugu’s past,” Ezeh said. “Technology will build its future.”
TALKING POINTS
Can Enugu compete for tech investment when federal policies and security concerns still scare investors away from Nigeria as a whole? Enugu might have vision, but national-level issues like inconsistent regulation, currency volatility, and security threats still deter investors. How much can a state-driven tech festival realistically achieve in this broader environment?
The digital future is exciting, but are we training people for jobs that exist? Africa loves talking about AI, blockchain, and tech disruption. But are there enough companies ready to hire local youth with these advanced skills, or are we risking widespread frustration among trained graduates with nowhere to work?
Still, Enugu’s ambition is worth celebrating, it could inspire Nigeria’s overlooked cities to rise.
Despite all skepticism, it’s thrilling to see a city outside Lagos daring to dream this big. If Enugu pulls it off, it could set a precedent for other states to invest in homegrown innovation, decentralising Nigeria’s digital economy for real.
