The Enugu Tech Festival 2026 (ETF 2.0) will provide digital skills training and foreign certification to 67,000 participants—both physical and virtual—during the four-day event in Enugu.
The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, disclosed this on Friday at a press briefing ahead of the festival, scheduled to hold from February 24 to February 27 at the Enugu International Conference Centre.
Ezeh said that trainers from the United Kingdom, including partners from 1Goal Analytics, would deliver the sessions within three days, with the 67,000 participants receiving foreign certification on completion.
According to him, this initiative underscores our commitment to inclusivity — ensuring that young people, students, civil servants and entrepreneurs acquire practical skills in data analytics, software development, artificial intelligence and digital project management.
“This festival is driven by the bold vision of His Excellency, Gov. Peter Mbah, whose ambition is to transform Enugu State into a leading knowledge-based and digitally enabled economy.
Read Also:
- Swedish Embassy endorses Enugu Tech Festival 2026
- FG pledges to give maiden Enugu Tech Festival national, global exposure
- Enugu unveils Hi-Tech Security Hardware, says criminals have run out of hiding places
“The governor has consistently emphasised that the future of our state lies in innovation, enterprise and youth empowerment.
“His administration is deeply committed to digitisation across government services, education reform, technology incubation and infrastructure modernisation.
“Through deliberate reforms and strategic investments, Enugu is building the foundation of a resilient digital economy capable of competing nationally and globally,” he said.
The commissioner said that the theme for this year’s festival, “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” reflects that transformation. Enugu was historically known as the Coal City.
He noted that through Gov. Mbah’s leadership, “we are converting that legacy into digital energy — ideas, code, research and entrepreneurship that will power sustainable economic growth.
“Coal once powered industries; now innovation will power prosperity. This metaphor captures the spirit of reinvention that defines modern Enugu,” he said.
Ezeh said that more than 50,000 participants would be physically attending across the four-day event, adding that these would include startup founders, developers, venture capitalists, corporate technology leaders, academics, policymakers and students.
“Delegations from across Nigeria, other African countries and international innovation ecosystems have confirmed attendance. The scale of participation signals growing confidence in Enugu as a serious technology destination,” he said.
Ezeh noted that the ETF 2026 would deliver measurable outcomes — investment commitments, research collaborations, startup funding agreements and cross-border partnerships as well as tangible economic and social impacts.
“Gov. Mbah’s broader economic transformation agenda is clear: diversify the economy, expand digital skills training, modernise infrastructure and attract global investment.
“Enugu is ready to host the world. We look forward to four days of innovation, collaboration and purposeful dialogue that will help shape the digital future of our state and our nation,” he added.
