AI Social Commerce Playbook for Lagos Tech Fest

3,000+ attendees. 70 speakers. 1,000+ companies from 25 countries.

That’s what Eventhive is projecting for the 6th Lagos Tech Fest (Feb 17–18, 2026)—and if you run an SME in Ghana, you should read those numbers like a sales opportunity, not just an industry headline. A room that size isn’t only for founders raising capital or big tech doing branding. It’s also a place where a small business with the right AI social commerce setup can collect leads, pre-sell products, and build relationships that keep paying long after the event lights go off.

This post sits inside our “Sɛnea AI Rehyɛ Social Commerce ne SME Ahorow den Wɔ Ghana” series for a reason: events like Lagos Tech Fest reward speed and consistency. Not “spray-and-pray posting.” Real systems—DM automation, content planning, lead capture, and follow-up—done in a way that still sounds human.

Why Lagos Tech Fest matters to Ghanaian SMEs

Events like Lagos Tech Fest matter because they compress opportunity. In two days, you’ll find buyers, partners, vendors, and platforms in one place—especially with Lagos Tech Fest’s mix of conferences, roundtables, exhibitions, pitch events, and networking.

For Ghanaian SMEs, the value often comes in three practical forms:

1. Cross-border demand signals: You learn what Nigerian customers, resellers, and platforms are paying attention to right now.
2. Partnership shortcuts: You can meet payment providers, logistics partners, SaaS tools, and agencies that reduce your cost to enter new markets.
3. Content credibility: “We were at Lagos Tech Fest” is social proof—if you package it properly.

Eventhive is also structuring the 2026 edition across four stages (Money, Off the Record, Innovation, Founder). That tells you something: the conversations won’t be generic. People are coming with budgets, opinions, and problems to solve.

The myth: “We’ll just attend and network”

Most SMEs get this wrong. They treat an event like a field trip.

Networking without a plan is just random conversations. A plan turns conversations into:

• WhatsApp contacts you can actually re-engage
• Instagram followers who become repeat buyers
• Demo requests
• Distributor conversations
• Corporate procurement leads

The reality? The SMEs that win are the ones that show up with a simple funnel—and let AI handle the boring parts.

A simple AI social commerce funnel for tech festivals

The fastest way to benefit from a big event is to run a funnel that starts before the event and continues after it.

Here’s the funnel I recommend for Ghanaian SMEs using social commerce tools:

1) Pre-event: build attention and book meetings

Your goal before the event is not “more followers.” It’s booked conversations and warm leads.

What to do (7–14 days before):

• Publish a short content series: “What we’re watching at Lagos Tech Fest” tied to your niche.
• Announce a clear offer: a demo, a tasting, a trial, a buyer discount, a partnership call—one action.
• Set up a lead magnet: a price list, catalogue PDF, wholesale terms, or “top 10” guide.
• Use AI to pre-write 10–15 DM scripts for different audiences (buyers, partners, media, investors).

AI support that actually helps:

• Caption variations for the same post (so your content doesn’t sound copy-pasted)
• A content calendar that aligns with the event agenda (Money Stage topics if you’re fintech-adjacent; Founder Stage if you sell to startups)
• Audience segmentation prompts: “Write a DM for a logistics partner vs a retailer”

If you’re attending from Ghana, you can also frame it as regional collaboration: West Africa is one market in practice, not only on paper.

2) During event: capture leads without losing the moment

At Lagos Tech Fest 2026, the pace will be intense—multiple venues, roundtables, expo floor, and evening networking like After Dark Hours.

Your job is to reduce friction. Nobody wants a long form.

A practical lead-capture setup:

• One QR code to a short form (name, WhatsApp, what they want)
• One QR code to your catalogue/offer page
• A WhatsApp “keyword” message people can send (e.g., “CATALOG”)

Then use AI to keep your responses fast and consistent.

DM automation that doesn’t feel robotic:

• Set 2–3 quick reply templates for common requests
• Personalize the first line (their name + context)
• Keep the message short, then ask one question

Example structure:

“Great meeting you at the expo—thanks for checking out our [product]. Want retail pricing or wholesale terms?”

That single question segments your lead immediately.

3) Post-event: follow-up like you mean it

Most event leads die in 72 hours because follow-up is sloppy.

A clean post-event process can turn “nice to meet you” into revenue.

48-hour rule: message every meaningful contact within two days.

Use AI to generate follow-up sequences, but keep them human:

• Day 1: Context + one question
• Day 3: Share one relevant asset (catalogue, case study, pricing)
• Day 7: Make a clear ask (call, sample order, pilot)

Make the ask easy: propose two time options. Don’t ask them to suggest a time.

How SMEs in Ghana can “sell the event” using content

Here’s what works: don’t post the event like a tourist. Post it like a business operator.

Content ideas that convert (and how AI helps)

1) “What I learned” posts (Founder Stage energy)

• 3 lessons that affect customers
• 1 decision you’re making because of it

AI role: turn your rough notes into a tight, readable post in your voice.

2) “Booth walk-through” and mini demos (Expo content)

• Short vertical videos explaining one feature or product benefit

AI role: hooks, captions, and a consistent series format.

3) “Partner shout-outs” (relationship content)

• Tagging a partner is fine, but add the business reason: what problem they solve.

AI role: draft versions for LinkedIn vs Instagram vs WhatsApp Status.

4) “Customer proof” content If you have Ghana-based customer stories, Lagos is the time to show them.

AI role: structure a case study so it’s skimmable:

• Problem → What you changed → Result

The December angle (why timing matters right now)

We’re in late December, and most SMEs are thinking about 2026 targets. That’s exactly why this is a good moment to build your event funnel.

January is when budgets and calendars get locked. If you wait until February, you’ll arrive at the event with weak prep and no pipeline.

What Lagos Tech Fest’s agenda signals about 2026 demand

Eventhive is emphasizing finance, innovation, and founder conversations—plus a leadership roundtable with C-level executives and government reps. That usually points to 2026 priorities like:

• Payments and embedded finance for everyday commerce
• Compliance, trust, and infrastructure reliability
• Practical AI adoption (not hype) across operations and marketing

For Ghanaian SMEs, the “translation” is simple:

• If your product can’t be explained in one sentence, fix that before you go.
• If you don’t have a fast way to take orders via social, you’ll lose attention.
• If your customer support is slow, you’ll waste the leads you paid to meet.

This is where AI social commerce earns its keep: it helps small teams respond quickly, personalize at scale, and stay consistent.

A 10-step checklist for Ghanaian SMEs attending tech festivals

Use this as your non-negotiable plan for Lagos Tech Fest (or any major tech event in West Africa).

1. Define one goal: leads, partnerships, resellers, or press (pick one primary).
2. Create one offer tied to that goal.
3. Build a simple lead form and a WhatsApp keyword flow.
4. Prepare a catalogue/pricing asset people can access instantly.
5. Draft 10 DM openers for different contact types.
6. Create a 7-day content plan (pre, during, post).
7. Put a QR code on your phone lock screen and business card.
8. Capture context for every lead (where you met + what they asked).
9. Follow up within 48 hours with a question.
10. Book calls with time options, then move to invoices or pilots.

If you do nothing else, do steps 3, 8, and 9. That’s where most SMEs drop the ball.

People also ask: practical AI + social commerce questions

“Which social channel should my SME prioritize for event leads?”

Pick the channel your buyers actually use day-to-day. For many Ghanaian SMEs, that’s WhatsApp for closing and Instagram/LinkedIn for discovery. Use Instagram for reach, WhatsApp for conversion, LinkedIn for partnerships.

“How do I use AI without sounding fake?”

Don’t let AI write your experiences from scratch. Feed it your notes and your voice, then edit the first two lines yourself. The first two lines are where people decide if you’re real.

“What’s a good event lead target for a small team?”

A realistic target is 20–50 qualified leads per day if you have a clear offer and a low-friction capture method. “Qualified” means they match your buyer profile and you know what they want.

Next step: treat Lagos like a sales sprint, not a trip

Lagos Tech Fest 2026 is shaping up to be a high-density meeting point for African tech—four stages, thousands of attendees, and serious sponsor backing. For Ghanaian SMEs, the upside comes from preparation and follow-through, not vibes.

If this series is about anything—Sɛnea AI Rehyɛ Social Commerce ne SME Ahorow den Wɔ Ghana—it’s this: AI isn’t replacing your hustle. It’s making your hustle measurable.

So what’s your plan for February: are you showing up with business cards and hope, or with a lead engine that keeps working when you’re back in Accra, Kumasi, or Takoradi?