Tech giants and leading innovators from across Nigeria and beyond are converging on Enugu for the second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival, signalling the city’s emergence as a major hub in Africa’s digital economy. The four-day festival, themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” aims to transform Enugu into a powerhouse of technology and innovation.
At a press briefing held at the Enugu Press Centre, Dr Prince Lawrence Ezeh, the state’s Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, said Governor Peter Mbah will formally declare the festival open on 24 February. Federal representation will include Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy; Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development; and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology.
International participation will be highlighted by the presence of Anna Westerholm, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Nigeria, reflecting growing global interest in partnerships around digital transformation, research, and skills development.
Private sector engagement will feature prominent figures such as Leo Stan Ekeh, founder and chairman of Zinox Group, alongside executives from fintech, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure companies. Enugu State officials also confirmed that the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Speaker and members of the Enugu House of Assembly, as well as state commissioners, are expected to attend.
Some of the speakers and resource persons scheduled to participate include Gossy Ukanwoke, Managing Director of Kingmakers; Kingsley Eze, CEO of Tenece Group; Hakeem Adeniji-Adele, Deputy Managing Director of eTranzact International PLC; Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission; Ugochukwu Aronu, CEO of Xend Finance; Onyekachi Christian Oparah of Zoho Corporation for West Africa; Napa Onwusah, Managing Partner at B4B Partners; Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Chief Technology & Information Officer; Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TDAfrica; Chibuotu Amadi, Co-Founder/CEO of Paycrest; and about 14 other industry experts and partners.
“The future of our state lies in innovation, enterprise, and youth empowerment,” Ezeh told journalists. “This festival is driven by a deliberate vision to ensure Enugu does not merely participate in the digital economy but becomes one of its leaders in Nigeria and across West Africa.”
According to the Commissioner, the festival is in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s commitment to transforming the state into a new source of economic power: digital innovation. “Coal once powered industries; now innovation will power prosperity,” Ezeh said. “We are transforming our legacy into digital energy — ideas, research, software, and entrepreneurship that will drive sustainable growth.”
Organisers expect more than 50,000 participants, including start-up founders, software developers, venture capitalists, corporate technology leaders, academics, students, and policymakers. Delegations from across Nigeria, other African countries, and selected international innovation ecosystems have confirmed attendance, reflecting growing confidence in Enugu’s tech landscape.
Since the inaugural festival in 2025, ten new technology hubs have emerged within the state, including a dedicated blockchain centre and privately backed innovation spaces. “These hubs are not symbolic structures,” Ezeh said. “They are active centres of product development, talent incubation, and venture building. We are witnessing real ecosystem growth.”
State officials said policy reforms have reinforced the digital push. Digitisation of public services, education reform, technology incubation programmes, and infrastructure modernisation are among the initiatives laying the foundations for a resilient digital economy capable of attracting investment and creating skilled employment.
A key component of the festival will be three days of free digital skills training for more than 67,000 participants. Trainers from the United Kingdom, including partners from 1Goal Analytics, will offer sessions on data analytics, artificial intelligence, software development, and digital project management. Participants will receive internationally recognised certification.
The programme also features keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, masterclasses, and workshops covering artificial intelligence, agritech, healthtech, cyber security, renewable energy technology, and digital infrastructure development.
A central highlight will be the Startup Showcase and Investment Forum, where emerging entrepreneurs will pitch innovations directly to investors and strategic partners. Selected start-ups will gain access to post-festival incubation support and advisory services, aligning with the governor’s emphasis on youth empowerment and job creation.
“We are not simply hosting conversations,” Ezeh said. “We are building structured pipelines for funding, mentorship, and long-term business growth.”
Discussion about this post