The Swedish Embassy in Nigeria has formally thrown its weight behind the upcoming Enugu Tech Festival (ETF) 2026, an event set to become one of the largest technology and innovation gatherings in Africa.
The endorsement was made during a strategic meeting in Abuja between officials of the Swedish Embassy and the Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Lawrence Eze, alongside the ETF 2026 team.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu following the development, Dr. Eze described the meeting as “crucial and forward-thinking,” emphasizing that it focused on building cross-border partnerships, enhancing capacity for young innovators and positioning Enugu as a digital hub in Africa.
“Next year’s Enugu Tech Festival is expected to welcome over 50,000 participants. It’s going to be a major event, and we’re thrilled to have the Swedish Embassy’s involvement at this level,” said Dr. Eze.
He commended the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, attributing Enugu’s rapid rise in the tech space to the Governor’s visionary reforms and commitment to digital transformation.
“Governor Mbah’s administration has laid a solid foundation for innovation through smart governance, youth empowerment, and forward-thinking policies. It is this environment that has made initiatives like ETF possible,” Eze added.
Also speaking, ETF Team Lead, Mr. Eliezer Ajah, highlighted the significance of Sweden’s endorsement, particularly in relation to global partnerships and development funding.
“Enugu has one of the highest concentrations of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. That translates to a large, educated youth population, ideal for tech-driven capacity building. This is a strategic advantage we’re leveraging,” Ajah said.
He noted that there are opportunities to align with Swedish development finance institutions such as Swedfund to explore collaborative projects within the South-East tech ecosystem.
“ETF 2026 can serve as a launchpad for identifying and unlocking low-hanging fruits in tech innovation, especially when international stakeholders are part of the conversation. This is a value-for-value relationship we’re keen to build,” he added.
The Swedish Embassy is also expected to facilitate the participation of foreign experts and speakers, who will share global insights and experiences during the festival.
ETF 2026, also referred to as ETF 2.0, will run from February 24 to 27, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. Themed “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form,” the event aims to bridge the gap between traditional industries and digital innovation.
The festival will feature Keynote addresses by global tech leaders, Innovation exhibitions and product showcases, High-level policy and partnership forums as well as Startup pitching and investment matchmaking.
ETF 2026 is envisioned as more than a regional event, it’s a continental platform for ideas, investment, and collaboration that will shape Africa’s digital future.
The Enugu State Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a world-class digital ecosystem that empowers young people, attracts global investors and redefines Africa’s technology and innovation landscape.
