The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2026) has opened with colour, energy and a strong sense of ambition, drawing thousands of young innovators, investors and technology leaders to Enugu.
From the early hours of the first day, buses and cars lined the roads leading to the venue. Young people, many wearing branded tech T-shirts and carrying laptops, queued patiently to register. Inside the hall, large digital screens displayed welcome messages, while soft music played in the background. The atmosphere was both festive and focused.
By mid-morning, every seat was taken. Participants stood along the walls and crowded around demonstration booths where start-ups showed new apps, robotics tools and digital finance products. The energy rose each time a speaker mounted the stage, with applause and cheers echoing across the hall.
The four-day event, which began on 24 February, quickly grew in scale. Day two was even more crowded than the first, with thousands more youths arriving for specialised workshops and training sessions. Many described the festival as the largest technology gathering they had ever attended in the region.
A major highlight of ETF 2026 is its practical training programme. Hundreds of young participants are receiving IA foreign certification after completing structured courses designed to meet global standards. For many, this certification represents a gateway to remote jobs, freelance contracts and international opportunities.
“I feel confident now,” said one participant after finishing a coding assessment. “This certificate can open doors for me beyond Nigeria.”
The excitement deepened when hundreds of laptops were presented to outstanding participants on the first and second days. The devices were awarded for ingenuity in artificial intelligence, blockchain, data analysis, digital design and software development. As names were called, loud cheers filled the venue. Some recipients raised their laptops high above their heads in celebration, while others hugged friends and mentors.
In his welcome address, the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh, described the festival as a turning point.
“Today is not just another gathering. Today is a defining moment in Enugu’s digital journey,” he said. “This platform represents vision, execution and commitment to transforming Enugu into a globally competitive digital economy.”
Ezeh stated that Enugu has emerged as the second-largest tech ecosystem in Nigeria. He pointed to the rapid rise in start-ups, training centres and innovation hubs across the state. According to him, thousands of young people have been trained in coding, robotics and product development through government-supported initiatives.
Ezeh outlined six main aims for ETF 2026: transforming businesses through digital innovation; strengthening communities; building sustainable, eco-friendly solutions; promoting creative problem-solving; deepening partnerships; and driving investment with measurable impact.
He said the expected outcomes include securing three to five concrete partnership commitments, launching pilot projects in agriculture, healthcare and green energy, and developing a clear roadmap for joint ventures and technology transfer. Another goal is to build a more connected ecosystem linking business, government and education, while renewing a commitment to digital access for all residents.
Looking ahead, the commissioner set out plans for what he called “the future we are building”. These include real-time security systems, smart green schools, a digital judiciary with modern case management, streamlined land administration through the Enugu Geographic Information System, e-wallet payments for public transport, and a digital museum to preserve the state’s cultural heritage.
“Enugu is a return, not a risk,” Ezeh told investors. He urged young people to turn ideas into impact, called on policymakers to move beyond bureaucracy, and encouraged the private sector to deepen partnerships
The state’s partnership with Norrsken, the Swedish impact investment foundation, has led to the development of what is described as Nigeria’s largest tech hub. Since the last festival, more hubs have opened, including blockchain centres and digital investment platforms such as Risevest.
Throughout the venue, side events added to the excitement. Groups gathered for hackathon challenges, while mentors moved from tents to table tent offering training. Investors held private sessions with founders pitching new ideas in agriculture technology, health innovation and green energy solutions.
The festival was formally declared open by the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who urged young people to turn ideas into practical results. His speech drew strong applause, especially when he spoke about building a digital future that creates jobs and reduces poverty.
For many young participants, ETF 2026 is more than a conference. It is a space where ambition feels possible. The combination of training, global certification, mentorship and real tools has created a mood of hope and determination.
As one attendee said while leaving a workshop: “This is not just talk. We are learning, building and connecting. It makes you believe that tomorrow is already here.”
ETF 2026 is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, headed by Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh.