Studio 19

What Studio 19 does

Studio 19 Limited is a Dar es Salaam-headquartered social impact communication and production hub founded in 2015, operating with a headcount in the 11-50 range across East Africa. The firm delivers three integrated service lines: Social & Behaviour Change (SBC) campaigns grounded in research-led design and measurable KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices) indicators; film fixing and production support for inbound international shoots; and documentary production for development-sector and enterprise buyers.

Studio 19's production capability is built on broadcast-grade equipment including ARRI, RED, and Sony FX cinema cameras alongside DJI drone systems, with equipment drawn from regional rental houses as needed. Its film-fixing offering encompasses the operational gating steps that foreign producers require to shoot in Tanzania and neighbouring countries: permits, ATA Carnet handling, Tanzania Film Board liaison, and access to a vetted local crew network. The combination of SBC methodology and end-to-end production execution lets the firm operate as a single-vendor solution for clients seeking both campaign strategy and creative delivery.

The business model is project-based professional services. Intake is via an online project enquiry form with a stated 48-hour response SLA, and pricing is not publicly disclosed. The customer base is concentrated in the international development sector across UN agencies (UN Women, UNICEF, WHO, UNOPS, IOM), multilaterals (World Bank, EU via Global Gateway), and international NGOs (Plan International, Helvetas, SNV, Girl Effect, IUCN, GAIN, ABIC, Sahara Sparks, Ramani Huria). Government clients include TADB, TACAIDS, and DAWASA; enterprise clients include TED Global, National Bank of Commerce, DDC International, and Factstory; the firm has also engaged the University of Turku. Geographic footprint is anchored in Tanzania, with documented operations in Kenya and project-based activity in Rwanda.

Name

Studio 19

Legal name

Studio 19

Website

https://studio19.co.tz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Studio 19 Limited is a Dar es Salaam-based social impact communication and production hub serving UN agencies, multilaterals, NGOs, governments, and enterprises with SBC campaigns, film fixing and production support, and documentary work across East Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Impact Video Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Production (Video, Design, Copy, Studio) (BPAFAAAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ), Production Office Space & Support Facilities (MPADAIAD)

Keywords

• Social behaviour change
• Impact documentary production
• Film fixing services
• Multimedia campaign production
• Development sector communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Dar Es Salaam

HQ country

Tanzania

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Social & Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaigns: Project-based SBC strategy and multimedia content production for donors, governments, and behaviour-change programmes across Tanzania and East Africa. Revenue is earned through commissioned campaigns with measurable outcome indicators.
2. Film Fixing & Production Support: On-the-ground production management for international film crews operating in Tanzania and East Africa, covering permits, customs clearance (ATA Carnet), local crew sourcing, equipment rental, logistics, and accommodation. Billed as project or retainer fees.
3. Documentary & Impact Video Production: Commissioned impact documentaries and donor reporting films for NGOs, governments, and international organizations. Deliverables include end-of-grant films, case study videos, multi-channel campaign cutdowns, and field documentation. Revenue is project-based per commission.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Studio 19 is a social impact communication and production hub that delivers three core services: Social & Behaviour Change (SBC) campaigns that translate research into field-ready multimedia rollouts for NGOs, donors, and governments; film fixing and production support for international crews filming in Tanzania and East Africa (permits, ATA Carnet customs, crew, equipment, logistics); and impact documentary production that converts NGO evaluations and field data into broadcast-quality, donor-ready films. The company runs broadcast-quality video production using ARRI, RED, Sony FX cameras, DJI drones, and professional lighting/audio kits sourced from regional rental houses.

Product overview

Studio 19 is a production hub in East Africa offering three interconnected service lines: (1) Social & Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaigns for donors, governments, and behaviour-change programmes; (2) Film Fixing & Production Support for international crews needing permits, crew, logistics, and equipment in Tanzania and East Africa; and (3) Documentary Production for NGOs and donor reporting. The company operates a portfolio of named campaigns including Shtuka Campaign, 16 Days of Activism (#KwaSautiYako), Zero Waste Campaign (World Bank TURP), FSDT Machinga Campaign, and IBUA Youth Financial Inclusion Campaign. Studio 19 also delivers production projects for international clients including TED Global, DDC International, and Factstory (EU Global Gateway).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Social & Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaigns Research-led social and behaviour change communication services that translate programme research into field-ready, multi-channel multimedia rollout plans for NGOs, donors, governments, and behaviour-change programmes operating in Tanzania and East Africa, with measurable KAP outcome indicators.
• Film Fixing & Production Support On-the-ground production support for international film crews, broadcasters, and production companies filming in Tanzania and East Africa, covering Tanzania Film Board permits, ATA Carnet customs clearance, local crew sourcing (DITs, sound recordists, grip teams), equipment rental, logistics, and full production management.
• Impact Documentary Production Commissioned production of impact documentaries and NGO donor reporting films, transforming end-of-project evaluations and field data into broadcast-quality, boardroom-ready films that secure donor funding and prove institutional impact. Deliverables include end-of-grant films, case study and beneficiary spotlight videos, multi-channel campaign cutdowns for social media and broadcast, and field-level action documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 403,000+ people reached; 65% shift in gender equality attitudes; 46% increase in education budgeting; 58% increase in parental involvement — Shtuka Campaign
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• UNICEF TanzaniacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced multiple documentary and campaign projects for UNICEF Tanzania, including Sauti za Busara youth advocacy content and impact documentaries. UNICEF is one of the most frequently referenced clients in Studio 19's portfolio.
• UN Women TanzaniacoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 partnered with UN Women Tanzania on the 2022 #KwaSautiYako 16 Days of Activism campaign, producing bilingual multimedia content, coordinating influencer activations, and managing real-time social engagement to end violence against women and girls.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 produced a WHO-supported impact documentary on the Ministry of Health Zanzibar's landmark Perinatal Mental Health screening pilot for pregnant and postpartum women, demonstrating WHO's global health priorities through local visual storytelling.
• World BankcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 served as creative partner on the World Bank's Tanzania Urban Resilience Programme (TURP) Zero Waste initiative, developing a behaviour-change campaign that reframed solid waste as a circular economy opportunity. The partnership included a National Museum exhibition, BRT moving exhibition, and Tanzania's first zero-waste international conference.
• FSDT Tanzania (Financial Sector Deepening Trust)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 partnered with FSDT Tanzania on the Machinga street vendor campaign and the IBUA Youth Financial Inclusion campaign, using human-centred storytelling and social media to shift public discourse and influence national budget conversations.
• Foundations for Learning (F4L) ProgrammecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 was commissioned by the F4L Programme to develop the SBCC strategy and produce multimedia content for the Shtuka Campaign — a radio and video campaign across Southern Coastal Tanzania driving educational equity, girls' school attendance, and norm shifts. Campaign reached 403K+ people with 65% gender equality attitude shift.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 produced the Marine Conservation: Bahari Mali film supported by IUCN, focused on women, youth, and marine conservation efforts in Tanzania's Tanga-Pemba seascape.
• DDC InternationalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 was commissioned by DDC International as field producer and cinematographer for a USAID-funded impact documentary series in Iringa and Mbeya, Tanzania, documenting land rights technology and community health insurance for rural communities.
• TED GlobalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 served as the on-the-ground field production partner for TED Global's video on higher education for refugees, filming inside refugee camps in Rwanda and Kakuma, Kenya for Chrystina Russell's Global Education Movement initiative.
• FactstorycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 supported Factstory with photo and video field production for the Global Gateway Communications project, a major EU development communications initiative documenting progress across Ifakara and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
• Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 produced Agricultural Development Stories — impact stories documenting agricultural transformation powered by TADB across Tanzania.
• HelvetassupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and SBC campaign content for Helvetas, a Swiss development organisation working in Tanzania.
• GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign work for GAIN, addressing nutrition and food systems in Tanzania.
• IOM (UN Migration)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign content for IOM, the UN Migration agency, in Tanzania.
• TACAIDS (Tanzania Commission for AIDS)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign content for Tanzania's national AIDS commission.
• Plan InternationalsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign content for Plan International's programmes in Tanzania.
• UNOPSsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign content for UNOPS operations in Tanzania.
• SNVsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced documentary and campaign content for SNV (an international development organisation) in Tanzania.
• AFD (Agence Française de Développement)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for AFD, the French Development Agency, on Tanzania development programmes.
• Girl EffectsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced youth-focused documentary and campaign content for Girl Effect in Tanzania.
• National Bank of Commerce (NBC)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for NBC, one of Tanzania's major financial institutions.
• University of TurkusupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has collaborated with the University of Turku on documentary and research-related production work in Tanzania.
• ABICsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for ABIC, a development sector organisation operating in Tanzania.
• Sahara SparkssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for Sahara Sparks, a Tanzania-based development and humanitarian organisation.
• Ramani HuriasupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for Ramani Huria, a mapping and urban resilience initiative in Dar es Salaam.
• CANSOsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) or related civil society initiatives in Tanzania.
• TURP (Tanzania Urban Resilience Programme)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 partnered with TURP on the World Bank Zero Waste campaign, supporting public engagement and behaviour change around solid waste management in Dar es Salaam.
• CTW (Camara Tanzania Workers)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerStudio 19 has produced content for CTW-related programmes in Tanzania.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• WITNESS: WITNESS is a global NGO that partners with local activists and communities to use video for human rights and social change. Comparable to Studio 19 in combining purpose-driven video production with campaign strategy for development institutions and marginalized communities.
• Internews: Internews is an international NGO supporting independent media and producing development-focused video, radio, and digital content across Africa and Asia. Comparable to Studio 19 in its donor-funded model, focus on health/development communications, and field production capacity in low-resource geographies.
• BBC Media Action: BBC Media Action is the BBC's international development charity, producing media and communication programs (including SBC campaigns) in low- and middle-income countries. It is the closest global analog to Studio 19's combination of broadcast-quality production and behavior-change methodology for NGO/donor clients.
• Insignia Productions: Insignia Productions is an East African production company headquartered in Nairobi that produces documentaries, branded content, and corporate films for international clients. Comparable to Studio 19 as a regional production partner serving NGOs, brands, and international film crews across East Africa.

Broad incumbents

• AJ+ (Al Jazeera): AJ+ is Al Jazeera's digital-first international news and feature platform producing short-form documentary video with global reach. Comparable to Studio 19 as a multilingual impact-oriented video producer, but at significantly larger scale and with owned global distribution channels.
• Voice of America (VOA) Africa: VOA is a U.S.-government-funded international broadcaster with significant Africa operations, producing news, features, and development-focused programming for African audiences. Comparable as a large-scale incumbent in broadcast-quality public-interest content across East Africa, though operating at much greater scale and with direct distribution channels.

Others

• Pact: Pact is an international NGO working on health, governance, and economic development with significant field-presence in Tanzania and East Africa, often partnering with local creative shops for SBC campaigns and impact content. Comparable to Studio 19 as a peer buyer/partner in the same donor-funded development communications supply chain.
• Devex: Devex is the leading media and data platform for the global development sector, covering donor funding, programs, and partner organizations. Comparable to Studio 19 as a node in the same development communications ecosystem, though Devex is an information provider rather than a production services firm.
• Fenton Communications: Fenton is a global social impact communications agency working with NGOs, foundations, and mission-driven organizations on campaigns, narrative strategy, and multimedia content. Comparable to Studio 19 in serving social-impact clients with integrated campaign + content work, though operating globally rather than as a regional production hub.

Regional players

• RAM Film & Television Production: RAM Film is a long-established Tanzanian production house producing commercials, documentaries, and corporate films. Comparable to Studio 19 as a domestic Tanzanian production competitor, with similar broadcast-level equipment and client overlap in the local NGO and corporate market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/studio19tz
• Facebookfacebook.com/studio19tz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/studio-19-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Studio 19