The Enugu State Government has announced that the inaugural Enugu Tech Festival (ETF), slated from May 6-9, 2025, will feature executives from prominent tech companies including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. The four-day event will take place at the International Conference Centre in Enugu, under the theme “COAL to CODE.”
Dr. Lawrence Ezeh, the Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, shared details of the festival on Tuesday, emphasizing its goal to transform the state’s technology landscape and solidify its position as a significant tech hub within West Africa. He highlighted that the festival is a collaborative effort between the Enugu State Tech and Start-up Ecosystem and the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
The ETF is designed to foster innovation, provide support for tech start-ups, and inspire young professionals in the tech industry. The event schedule includes rallies, panel discussions, networking opportunities, and exhibitions. Dr. Ezeh anticipates approximately 10,000 attendees, comprising founders of established tech companies, start-up enthusiasts, tech investors, students, graduates, and tech policy-makers.
“Enugu has experienced considerable growth in its tech ecosystem, currently ranking among the top five states in Nigeria for tech innovation. Our aim is to advance to become the primary hub for tech innovation and start-up incubation in the West African region,” Ezeh stated. The ETF is expected to reinforce the state’s crucial role in Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly given its current status with over 100 active start-ups and thousands of tech professionals.
The festival’s theme, “COAL to CODE,” underscores the vision of transforming Enugu into a technological leader not just in Nigeria, but throughout West Africa. The Enugu State Government, in partnership with research institutions and private sector entities, is actively working towards developing a Silicon Valley-like infrastructure.
A key component of this initiative is the launch of the West Africa Stargate (WASGate), designed to promote collaboration and investment within the state’s tech ecosystem. The festival will also offer the public an avenue to interact with local innovators, thus showcasing the city’s burgeoning tech presence.
Key highlights will include speaking engagements and insightful addresses from Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, along with other key leaders from the tech sector. Panel discussions will focus on the importance of tech innovation, securing funding for start-ups, and the vision behind the West Africa Stargate initiative. A town hall meeting will provide stakeholders and heads of tertiary institutions an opportunity to discuss strategies concerning tech education and growth across the state, Nigeria, and the broader West African region. Furthermore, there will be deep-dive sessions specifically tailored for investors, providing guidance on financing early-stage start-ups, along with specialized panel sessions covering blockchain technology, property technology, and hardware development, among other topics.
