Nairobi has no shortage of people who can film a company. Search for a corporate video production company and you will find studios, agencies, freelancers with good cameras and broadcasters’ production arms, all with polished showreels. The hard part is not finding someone. It is telling which of them will understand your brief, film your people well, stay within the law, and hand over something your team can actually use for the next three years.

This guide sets out what to look for, what to ask, and the warning signs that are easy to miss when everyone’s reel looks impressive.

Regulatory points checked on 4 October 2026. US dollar amounts are approximate and update automatically, using a market rate of KSh 129.73 to US$1 (15 October 2026).

Start with what the film has to do

Before you compare companies, be clear about the job. A company profile for a tender submission, an ESG film for investors, an onboarding series for new staff and a product launch for social media need different skills. A team that excels at fast, energetic social content may not be the right one for a calm, credible film about your safety record or your supply chain.

Write down three things: who will watch the film, where they will watch it, and what you want them to do afterwards. If you have that on one page, every conversation with a production company becomes more useful. Our video production brief template walks through the rest.

Look at the work, not just the reel

A showreel is a highlights package. It tells you a company can make good-looking shots; it does not tell you whether they can make a film that holds attention for three minutes and says something clear. Ask to see two or three complete films that are close to what you need, and watch them all the way through.

As you watch, ask yourself:

• Do the people on screen look comfortable? Relaxed, articulate interviewees are a sign of good direction. Stiff, over-lit executives reading from memory usually mean the crew filmed what they were given rather than drawing anything out.
• Is the story clear without the narration? Strong corporate films show the work: sites, products, customers and staff doing real things.
• Is the sound clean? Poor audio is the most common weakness in corporate video, and the one viewers forgive least.
• Does it look like your sector? Experience filming in factories, farms, clinics or field sites matters if that is where your story is.

Then ask who made each film. Some companies show work where they supplied only a camera operator, or where another agency led the creative. That is not dishonest in itself, but you need to know what they were responsible for.

Ask how they will run the project

The difference between a smooth production and a stressful one is usually process, not talent. A good production company should be able to explain, without hesitation:

• who your single point of contact is, and who will direct on the day;
• how they develop the story before filming, whether through a treatment, interview questions or a shot list;
• how many rounds of edits are included, and how feedback is given;
• what happens if a shoot day is lost to rain, a cancelled site visit or an unavailable interviewee;
• when you will see a first cut, and when you will receive the final files.

Ask for a written schedule with these milestones. If a company cannot give you one, expect delivery dates to drift.

Check the paperwork that protects you

Corporate clients carry part of the risk when a production goes wrong. Four areas deserve a direct question.

Filming licences

Filming in Kenya requires a licence from the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) under section 4 of the Films and Stage Plays Act (Cap 222), and legal guidance on the requirement lists commercials and corporate videos among the productions covered (AO Wanga Advocates, updated March 2026; Kenyans.co.ke, reporting a KFCB notice in June 2026). Some locations, such as national parks, county property and private estates, need separate permission on top. Ask the company who will obtain these, and make sure the cost is in the quote rather than an afterthought.

Consent from the people on camera

This is where many organisations are most exposed. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner’s guidance notes on publishing recorded media (2025) expect express consent before identifiable people are photographed or filmed for publication, a clear signed consent form that explains the purpose, and parental consent for children. People can also withdraw consent, after which published material should be taken down (ODPC guidance notes).

The ODPC has enforced this. In September 2023 it fined a school KSh 4,550,000 US$35,100 for posting images of children without parental consent, and a Nairobi restaurant KSh 1,850,000 US$14,300 for posting a customer’s image on social media without consent (Clyde & Co; also reported by Mutie Advocates). Ask any production company to show you its consent form and explain how it handles staff, customers and members of the public who appear in shot. Afrovo’s own approach is set out in our consent, safeguarding and AI policy.

Drone licensing

Aerial shots of a factory, farm or headquarters are popular, and they are regulated. Under Kenya’s Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2020, anyone flying a drone for commercial activities, reward or hire needs a Remote Aircraft Operator Certificate (ROC) from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, and pilots need a remote pilot licence (KCAA regulations, regulations 14 and 20; summarised by The Kenya Times, June 2026). If a company offers drone footage, ask whose ROC the flight will be under and who the licensed pilot is. Afrovo holds a KCAA ROC, and all of our drone pilots are licensed.

Tax invoices

From 1 January 2026, the Kenya Revenue Authority validates the income and expenses declared in tax returns against eTIMS records, and says all declared expenses must be supported by a valid electronic tax invoice carrying the buyer’s PIN where applicable (KRA public notice, 10 November 2025; see also Anchinga and Associates). Your finance team will want a production company that can issue eTIMS invoices. It is worth confirming before you sign, particularly with freelancers.

Agree who owns the footage

Ownership causes more disputes than almost anything else in corporate video. Settle these points in writing before filming:

• Do you own the finished film outright, or receive a licence to use it? For which channels, and for how long?
• Will you receive the raw footage, and in what format? Is there a charge?
• Is the music licensed for every place you plan to use the film, including paid social advertising and broadcast?
• Can the production company show the film in its own portfolio? If your project is confidential, say so.

A reputable company will have clear answers and will put them in the contract.

Compare quotes like for like

Quotes for what sounds like the same film can differ by several times. Usually that is because they describe different films. When you compare, check the number of shoot days, the size of the crew, whether lighting, sound and drone work are included, how many edit rounds and versions you get, and whether subtitles or Kiswahili versions are part of the price. Our guide to video production costs in Kenya explains what drives each line.

The cheapest quote often leaves out things you will need later: a second interview location, a vertical cut for LinkedIn, captions for viewers watching without sound. The most expensive is not automatically the best. What you want is a quote that matches your brief line by line, with exclusions stated plainly.

Warning signs

• No questions about your audience or objectives before quoting.
• A showreel but no complete films to share.
• Vague answers about permits, consent or drone licensing.
• No written schedule, contract or revision policy.
• Reluctance to say who will actually be on set.
• Suggesting AI-generated people or scenes to stand in for your real staff and sites without saying so. If a film claims to show your operation, it should show your operation.

A short checklist for your shortlist

1. Three complete films in a similar style or sector, with the company’s role in each.
2. The names and roles of the director and crew for your shoot.
3. A written schedule with first-cut and final delivery dates.
4. Confirmation of who handles KFCB and location permissions.
5. A sample consent form.
6. For aerial work, the KCAA operator certificate and pilot licence.
7. Clear terms on ownership, raw footage and music.
8. Confirmation that they issue eTIMS invoices.

If you are planning a company profile, an ESG film or an internal communications series, see how we approach corporate video production in Nairobi.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should we book a corporate video production company?

Allow time for the brief, story development, permissions and scheduling interviews around your staff’s diaries. For a straightforward film, a few weeks of lead time is sensible. Projects with several locations, aerial filming or senior executives usually need longer.

Should we choose an agency or a production company?

An agency is useful if you also need campaign strategy, media buying or branding. If you already know what the film needs to achieve, working directly with a production company is often simpler, and you speak to the people who will make it.

Do we need consent forms for our own employees?

The ODPC’s guidance expects express consent from identifiable people before they are filmed or photographed for publication. It is safest to treat staff the same way: a signed form explaining how the footage will be used protects both the employee and the company.

Can the production company use our film in its portfolio?

Only if your contract allows it. Many clients are happy for their film to be shown, but if the content is confidential or commercially sensitive, agree that in writing before filming.

Afrovo Studios is a Nairobi-based production company making documentaries, corporate films and impact stories for organisations across East Africa. If you are planning a project, get in touch.