From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ENUGU
Swedish Embassy in Nigeria has formally endorsed Enugu Tech Festival, ETF, 2026, scheduled to be one of the largest technology gatherings in Africa.
The endorsement was made in Abuja during a high-level meeting between officials of the Swedish Embassy and the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Eze, and his ETF team.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday in Enugu, Eze said discussions on the endorsement centered on strengthening cross-border partnerships.
The commissioner said it also focused on capacity building for young innovators and positioning Enugu as the epicenter of Africa’s digital economy.
He described the meeting and endorsement as “crucial” and “forward-looking,” thus laying the groundwork for stronger bilateral collaborations ahead of ETF 2026.
“Next year’s Enugu Tech Festival 2026, we are looking at having over 50,000 participants; so, it is going to be quite huge and we are looking forward to having the Swedish Embassy fully represented.
“Enugu is the fastest rising state in Nigeria and this remarkable growth is no coincidence, but a direct result of the visionary and innovative leadership of Governor Peter Mbah.
“The governor’s bold reforms, forward-thinking policies and unwavering commitment to harnessing technology, innovation and human capital development have positioned Enugu as a hub for creativity and enterprise.
“His focus on digital transformation, smart governance and youth-driven development continues to inspire confidence, attract investments and create opportunities for sustainable growth,” he said.
Eze said it was on Mbah’s foundation of innovation that ETF is being built, serving as a testament of his administration’s dedication to making “Enugu the Silicon Valley of Nigeria and a true beacon of progress in Africa.”
Corroborating, the ETF Team Lead, Mr Eliezer Ajah emphasised the enormous potentials of the festival and how strategic partnerships with global players like Sweden would deepen the impact of the initiative.
According to Ajah, Enugu has the highest concentration of tertiary institutions, it means that there is a very young educated population that can be taught and learn stuff.
“It will even make sense if we can look at alignment with Swedfund to see the low hanging fruits you have that can be harnessed regarding tech-innovation in Nigeria within the South East.
“We can use Enugu Tech Festival as a vehicle to unlock them since we have the numbers, we have the reach, we have the access to these people to significantly shorten the goals that are being targeted.
“So at the end of the day, it is value for value; and hopefully foreign experts (embassy tech-innovation experts) will also come to speak and share things with us at the festival.
The engagement signals a new phase in Enugu’s tech diplomacy, ensuring that ETF 2026 would not just be a regional event, but a continental gathering of ideas, solutions and opportunities.
ETF 2026, which is scheduled to hold between February 24 and 27, 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, is expected to draw over 50,000 participants, including global tech-innovators, policymakers, investors and industry leaders.
ETF 2026, also known as ETF 2.0, which has as theme: ‘Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,’ will feature exhibitions, keynote speeches, innovation showcases and strategic partnership fora designed to drive sustainable development through technology.
Enugu State government had reaffirmed its commitment to build a world-class digital ecosystem that would empower youths, attract investors and redefine Africa’s tech-innovation landscape.
