📊 Data · Research · Analysis

Kenya's screen industry,
measured, analysed,
and understood.

The definitive source for Kenya screen industry statistics, economic impact data, sector analysis, research reports, and policy tracking. Updated quarterly. Used by investors, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.

186
Productions 2024
KSh 28.4B
Industry Value 2024
24,800
Industry Jobs
38
Source Countries 2024
+18%
YoY Growth 2024

Kenya Screen Industry
Key Performance Metrics

Last updated: December 2024
Registered Productions
186
↑ 24 from 2023 (162)
KFC-registered productions in 2024 — record high
Direct Industry Jobs
24,800
↑ 12.4% from 2023
Full-time equivalent positions in screen industry
Foreign Production Spend
USD 48.2M
↑ 31.6% from 2023
International production expenditure in Kenya 2024
Registered Crew
1,400+
↑ 18% from 2023
KFC-verified screen industry professionals
International Source Countries
38
↑ 5 new in 2024
Countries whose productions filmed in Kenya 2024
Festival Selections (Int'l)
12
Best year on record
Kenyan films at major international festivals 2023–24
Kalasha Submissions
340
↑ 38% from 2023
Total submissions to Kalasha Awards 2024 edition
📱
Streaming Share
↑ 34% of total
🎬
Feature Films
↑ 28 produced 2024
🎨
Animation Output
↑ 42% YoY growth
💼
Women in Screen
↑ 38% workforce share
🌍
Export Revenue
↑ USD 12.4M earned
🎓
Training Completions
↑ 1,240 in 2024
Productions by Format — 2024
186 total registered productions · KFC census data
Drama Series
67
Documentary
53
Feature Film
28
Short Film
22
Animation
16
Revenue by Sector — 2024
Total industry revenue KSh 28.4 billion
KSh
28.4B
Total
TV Drama & Series38%
Feature Film22%
Documentary18%
Streaming Originals14%
Animation & Digital8%
Production Volume Trend — 2019 to 2024
Number of KFC-registered productions per year
Total Productions
International
200 150 100 50 98 62 110 138 162 186 COVID impact
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Foreign Productions by Origin Region — 2024
38 source countries · USD 48.2M total spend
Europe
41%
North America
29%
Rest of Africa
13%
Middle East
9%
Asia Pacific
8%
Crew Gender Split — 2024
Kenya screen industry workforce diversity
Men 62%
Women 38%

↑ Up from 31% women in 2022. KFC gender equity target: 50% by 2027.

Direction
35% W
Camera
28% W
Post-Prod
45% W
Production
52% W
Animation
40% W

Deep-dive by sector

28
Feature Films Produced
↑ 22% from 2023
KSh 6.2B
Sector Value
↑ 19% YoY
USD 850K
Avg Production Budget
↑ from USD 620K 2023
6
Intl Festival Selections
Record for Kenya
🌍
Growing international co-production activity
4 of the 28 feature films produced in 2024 involved confirmed international co-producers, up from 1 in 2022. The KFC co-production framework is proving effective.
📱
Streaming platforms driving budget increases
Commissioning activity from Netflix Africa and Showmax is directly elevating average budgets and increasing the technical quality of feature film production in Kenya.
🏆
International recognition accelerating
Kenyan feature films have now screened competitively at Berlinale, IDFA, FESPACO, and Tribeca in 2023–24 — a step-change in global positioning.
Feature Film Production by Genre — 2024
Drama
43%
Thriller / Crime
21%
Romance / Comedy
18%
Action
11%
Horror / Supernatural
7%
53
Documentaries Produced
↑ 18% from 2023
KSh 5.1B
Sector Value
↑ 14% YoY
USD 320K
Avg Production Budget
↑ from USD 240K
4
IDFA / Sundance Selections
Best ever result
🌿
Environmental and social themes dominating
62% of Kenyan documentaries in 2024 centred on environmental justice, conservation, or social change — content with clear international broadcaster appetite.
🇪🇺
European co-production growing rapidly
14 of 53 documentaries in 2024 had a confirmed European co-producer, compared to just 4 in 2021. France and Germany lead as partner countries.
Documentary Subject Matter — 2024
Environmental
62%
Social / Human
48%
Culture / History
32%
Politics / Economy
22%
Sport / Lifestyle
16%
67
Series Produced
↑ 28% from 2023
KSh 10.8B
Sector Value
↑ 22% YoY
6
Streaming Commissions
Netflix + Showmax
KSh 48M
Avg Series Budget
↑ 35% from 2022
📺
Streaming commissions transforming budgets
Netflix Africa and Showmax commissions are setting new budget benchmarks for Kenyan TV production, with average per-episode budgets now 3x the 2019 average.
🌐
English-language advantage being leveraged
34% of Kenyan series are now produced primarily in English — significantly broadening their international distribution potential compared to purely Swahili content.
Series by Primary Broadcaster / Platform — 2024
Netflix Africa
22%
Showmax
18%
Citizen TV
28%
Africa Magic
15%
Independent
17%
16
Animation Projects
↑ 42% — fastest growth
KSh 2.3B
Sector Value
↑ 48% YoY
840
Animation Industry Jobs
↑ from 540 in 2022
8
Active Studios
↑ from 3 in 2019
🚀
Fastest growing sector in Kenya's screen industry
Animation has grown 42% in production volume and 48% in value in 2024 alone — the strongest growth trajectory of any segment in Kenya's screen industry.
🌍
Strong international demand for African animation
Global streaming platforms are actively seeking African animation content. Kenyan studios are well positioned but need capital to scale production capacity to meet demand.
Animation by Format & Audience — 2024
Children's
56%
Family
24%
Adult / All Ages
14%
Educational
6%
34%
Streaming Share of Revenue
↑ from 18% in 2021
KSh 9.7B
Digital Sector Value
↑ 44% YoY
4.2M
Monthly Streaming Users
↑ 38% from 2023
6
Platforms Active in Kenya
Netflix, Showmax, DStv+, Viusasa, others
📈
Digital consumption outpacing traditional broadcast
For the first time in 2024, streaming revenue surpassed broadcast licensing revenue in Kenya's screen economy — a structural shift with major implications for production financing.
📱
Mobile-first viewing transforming content formats
74% of Kenyan streaming consumption is on mobile devices. This is driving demand for shorter-form series, vertical content, and mobile-optimised storytelling.
Streaming Platform Market Share — Kenya 2024
Showmax
32%
Netflix Africa
28%
Viusasa
22%
DStv+
12%
Others
6%

Kenya's screen industry contributes
KSh 28.4 billion to the national economy

And growing at 18% per year — making screen one of Kenya's fastest-growing cultural economic sectors, and a credible investment destination for institutional capital.

💰
KSh 28.4B
Total Gross Value Added to Kenya's economy (2024)
👥
24,800
Direct full-time equivalent jobs in screen industry
🔗
3.8×
Multiplier effect — each KSh 1 spent creates KSh 3.80 in wider economy
🌍
USD 48.2M
Foreign exchange earnings from international productions filming in Kenya

From KSh 14.2B to KSh 28.4B
in five years

Kenya's screen industry has doubled in economic value between 2019 and 2024 — a compound annual growth rate of 14.8%. The acceleration from 2022 onwards reflects the impact of streaming platform investment, KFC's incentive reform, and the growth of Kenya's animation sector.

Streaming platform commissioning (Netflix, Showmax) driving budget growth
KFC Production Incentive reform increasing inward investment
Animation sector emerging as new growth driver
Growing pool of internationally-trained Kenyan talent
International festival recognition driving project finance confidence
Industry Value — KSh Billions
2019
KSh 14.2B
14.2B
2020
KSh 10.8B
10.8B
2021
KSh 15.9B
15.9B
2022
KSh 19.3B
19.3B
2023
KSh 24.0B
24.0B
2024
KSh 28.4B ★
28.4B

Reports, surveys,
and data publications

Commission custom research
Economic Study
Economic Impact of Kenya's Screen Industry — 5-Year Assessment

Comprehensive economic modelling of the screen industry's contribution to Kenya's GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings from 2019–2024. Includes multiplier analysis and scenario projections to 2030.

November 2024 · 58 pages 📄 Download PDF
Sector Report
Kenya Animation Industry Survey 2024

First dedicated survey of Kenya's animation sector. Maps studio capacity, workforce size, revenue streams, international market penetration, and investment needs. Identifies KSh 4.2B in unrealised revenue opportunity by 2027.

October 2024 · 42 pages 📄 Download PDF
Industry Census
Kenya Screen Industry Workforce Census 2024

Comprehensive census of Kenya's screen industry workforce. Covers 1,400+ professionals — demographics, skills, employment patterns, income, training needs, and gender breakdown by department.

September 2024 · 68 pages 📄 Download PDF
Sector Report
International Productions in Kenya — Attraction & Spend Analysis 2024

Analysis of international production activity in Kenya: source countries, spend patterns, location preferences, crew utilisation, permit data, and satisfaction survey results from 38 international productions.

August 2024 · 36 pages 📄 Download PDF
Policy Paper
Kenya Screen Sector Investment Case — Policy & Incentive Framework Review

Policy analysis of Kenya's screen industry incentive framework benchmarked against South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco, and UK. Recommends reforms to attract USD 80M+ in additional annual inward production investment.

July 2024 · 28 pages 📄 Download PDF
Annual Report
Kenya Screen Industry Report 2023

Previous year's annual overview covering 2023 performance data — 162 productions, KSh 24.0B industry value, 22,050 jobs, and 33 source countries. Baseline document for 2024 comparisons.

December 2023 · 78 pages 📄 Download PDF
Economic Study
Screen Tourism Contribution Study — Kenya Locations 2024

First study quantifying screen tourism's contribution to Kenya's tourism economy. Tracks the visitor impact of films, documentaries, and series set in Kenya, with destination impact modelling.

June 2024 · 32 pages 📄 Download PDF
Sector Report
Streaming Platform Impact on Kenya's Screen Sector 2024

Analyses the transformative effect of Netflix, Showmax, and emerging streaming platforms on production budgets, content formats, employment quality, and Kenya's international visibility as a screen production centre.

May 2024 · 44 pages 📄 Download PDF

Kenya screen industry
policy landscape

Active tracking of legislation, policy changes, and regulatory developments affecting Kenya's screen industry. Updated as changes occur.

Policy status legend
Passed / In Force
Active / Under Consultation
Pending Parliament
Proposed / Consultation
Kenya Film Classification Act (Amendment) 2023
● In Force

Streamlines classification procedures, establishes digital content classification framework, and creates faster pathway for international productions. Effective January 2024.

ClassificationEnactedJan 2024
Kenya Screen Industry Investment Incentives Reform 2024
● Active Consultation

Proposed uplift of production incentive rebate from 20% to 35% for qualifying productions, with additional uplift for Kenyan-majority crew productions. Public consultation closes April 2025.

IncentivesConsultation OpenDecision: Q3 2025
Digital Content and Streaming Regulation Framework 2024
● Active Consultation

Kenya Communications Authority working group developing regulatory framework for streaming platform content. Proposed local content minimum quota of 30% for platforms operating in Kenya. Industry consultation ongoing.

StreamingWorking GroupExpected 2025
Creative Industries Development Fund Bill 2024
● Pending Parliament

Proposed KSh 2 billion national fund to support Kenya's creative industries including screen. Establishes independent governance board and eligibility criteria. Currently before National Assembly Finance Committee.

FundingNational AssemblyQ2 2025 expected
Kenya Screen Industry Training Levy Proposal 2025
● Proposed

Proposed 0.5% levy on production budgets over KSh 5M to fund a national training endowment. Being developed by KFC and TVET Authority. Industry consultation expected to begin Q2 2025.

TrainingDevelopment phaseConsult: Q2 2025

Request custom data or commission research

KFC's Research & Intelligence team can provide bespoke data analysis, commissioned research reports, sector briefings, and tailored statistical outputs to meet specific information needs.

Investors conducting due diligence on Kenya screen sector opportunities
Governments and development agencies developing screen industry policy
Academic researchers studying African screen industries
Broadcasters and streamers assessing Kenya content market size
International productions planning Kenya shoots
Industry organisations benchmarking against Kenya
Data Partnership Programme

Research institutions, development agencies, and strategic partners can access KFC's full anonymised production database and participate in joint research programmes. Contact us to discuss data partnership arrangements.

Data Request

All requests reviewed within 5 business days. Routine data requests at no charge. Commissioned research quoted on scope.

KFC treats all data requests with complete confidentiality.