The Enugu State Government has officially announced the 2026 edition of its Tech Festival, with a bold target of attracting 50,000 participants. The four-day event is scheduled to take place in February 2026, building on the success of its inaugural edition held earlier this year.

 

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Prince Lawrence Eze, during the inauguration of the Central Planning Committee in Enugu. According to him, the 2026 festival—themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form”—aligns with Governor Peter Mbah’s vision of transforming Enugu into a thriving hub for innovation and technological advancement.

 

> “Under Governor Mbah’s leadership, we are working to create an ecosystem that fosters creativity, enhances skills, and promotes sustainable development. The Enugu Tech Festival is a testament to that commitment,” Eze said.

 

 

 

The festival is designed to bring together tech enthusiasts, startups, educators, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and industry leaders for a dynamic program of workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, and exhibitions. The aim is to promote technology integration into everyday life and drive inclusive economic growth.

 

The Central Planning Committee will include a Local Organising Committee (LOC) and an advisory board of renowned tech experts from Enugu. These members will guide the festival’s direction, shape programming, and foster strategic partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and private sector leaders.

 

Highlighting the festival’s theme, Prince Eze explained that “Coal to Code” symbolizes a shift from traditional energy sources to clean energy and digital innovation—a reflection of Enugu’s evolving economic identity.

 

Having recently attended VIVA 2025, a leading global tech summit in Paris, Eze noted that Enugu plans to adopt key lessons and insights from that event to elevate the scale and impact of its own festival.

 

> “Our goal is to replicate the essence of the Viva event right here in Enugu. We want to inspire innovation, support entrepreneurship, and ignite critical conversations around technology’s role in shaping a sustainable future,” he added.

 

 

 

The 2026 Enugu Tech Festival is expected to be a celebration of local innovation and a launchpad for global collaborations, further positioning the state as a leading destination for technology-driven development in Nigeria and beyond.