NAIROBI — Filmmakers, influencers, content creators and digital entertainment businesses operating in Nairobi will now be required to pay new licensing fees following the introduction of charges under the 2026 Nairobi County Finance Act.
The new measures, published on August 23, expand the county’s revenue framework to cover the rapidly growing creative and digital economy, with different charges imposed depending on the nature of the business or production.
Under the new regulations, local commercial film crews will pay Sh8,000 for every shooting session, while international production teams will be required to part with Sh50,000. Producers of music videos will pay Sh10,000 per project, while static content production hubs will attract an annual fee of Sh40,000.
Influencers are also affected by the new regulations. Organisers of monetised or ticketed influencer events will be required to obtain permits at a cost of Sh10,000 per event.
The county has further introduced annual levies for digital platforms, with domestic streaming platforms required to pay Sh100,000 annually, while local digital content hubs will pay Sh80,000.
Traditional media outlets have not been spared. Television stations will pay an annual fee of Sh200,000, while radio stations will be charged Sh150,000.
The new charges have been introduced under the administration of Governor Johnson Sakaja, effectively reversing a 2022 policy that had waived licensing fees for freelance photographers and filmmakers working within Nairobi’s Central Business District.
County authorities argue that bringing the creative industry into a formal licensing framework will help generate a reliable revenue stream to support municipal services while also providing a structured environment for the sector.
However, the move is likely to spark debate among content creators and small digital businesses, with industry players warning that the additional financial burden could hurt independent creators whose operations depend largely on advertising, brand partnerships and digital platforms.
The enforcement measures are also expected to make compliance a key concern for players in the sector.
Authorities have powers to take action against those operating without the required licences, including imposing penalties and, in some circumstances, confiscating production equipment.
The new framework comes at a time when Nairobi’s creator economy continues to expand, with social media influencers, filmmakers, photographers, streaming platforms and other digital businesses increasingly becoming an important part of the city’s entertainment and commercial landscape.