Africa’s film and video production landscape is shackled with a number of disjointed services, untrusted providers, and inconsistent pricing that have long undermined efficiency and professionalism.
Filmmakers, NGOs, media houses, and foreign crews often struggle to access accurate filming information, secure reliable local crews, and navigate complex permitting processes, resulting in wasted time, unexpected costs, and subpar outputs.
In this edition of Techparley’s Drive100, where we celebrate Africa’s most promising emerging innovations, we spotlight VideoPro, a pan-African digital video production network founded by Louis Were.
VideoPro addresses a longstanding challenge in Africa’s creative ecosystem, which is lack of transparency, trust, and efficiency in film and video production.
“There are many scammers and untrusted providers…hard to find filming information, or the information is inaccurate,” Louis explains, highlighting the pressing need for a standardized, trustworthy production ecosystem.
VideoPro emerges as a solution that streamlines production while ensuring transparency, accessibility, and fair opportunity distribution, enabling Africa to host professional-quality film projects reliably.
Tackling Africa’s Production Pain Points
VideoPro directly addresses multiple pain points that have long hindered filmmaking across the continent. African producers often provide inconsistent pricing, leaving clients uncertain about project budgets.
Moreover, production teams frequently disengage after the initial shoot, leaving clients without follow-up support or guidance. The lack of accessible, accurate filming information further complicates the process.
VideoPro’s system addresses these challenges by providing a centralized, digitized workflow, where clients can monitor projects from planning to delivery, and where crew accountability is built into the network.
Louis notes, “Clients are able to track their projects and know who is involved in the process,” highlighting the startup’s commitment to transparency.
Additionally, by distributing opportunities daily to crew members, VideoPro mitigates gatekeeping and ensures that talented individuals across Africa can access work fairly.
Streamlined Solutions and Key Features
VideoPro’s innovation lies in its digital production management system, which streamlines operations for clients and crews alike. Producers can manage everything from crew selection to project delivery within a single platform, reducing the operational friction that often plagues productions.
Clients can track progress in real time and receive consistent updates, creating trust and reliability.
Louis emphasizes, “We have a strong network and work with local vetted crews. Every good crew member is part of us,” underlining the startup’s dual focus on quality control and inclusive access.
Beyond operational efficiency, VideoPro differentiates itself by supporting clients even after production, offering strategic guidance, including Google Ad Grants for post-production success.
“We don’t just make videos, we help clients win even after production.”
This combination of digital oversight, community management, and post-production support sets VideoPro apart in Africa’s creative landscape.
Differentiation and Unique Value Proposition
In a disrupted and often informal video production ecosystem, VideoPro stands out as a pan-African network owned and managed by Africans for Africans.
While traditional models rely on local freelancers or region-specific studios, VideoPro unifies the production process across multiple countries, including Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Togo, and Uganda.
“We are the first pan-African network to cover the full continent with a production system of this kind that’s owned by Africans for Africans,” the founder notes.
This approach not only standardizes processes but also democratizes access to projects, breaking barriers for skilled but previously marginalized talent.
By combining technology, verified networks, and community empowerment, VideoPro positions itself as a trustworthy, scalable, and reliable production ecosystem, addressing longstanding inefficiencies in the African video production space.
Progress, Traction, and Milestones So Far
Since its inception, VideoPro has achieved measurable traction across Africa. The network now has over 100 members and has successfully managed productions in six countries, demonstrating operational scalability and cross-border capability.
Its digital guides, designed to provide accurate filming information, have achieved over 81,000 impressions, validating market interest and the relevance of its resources.
“Our guides have been received up to 81k impressions and growing, appearing to people looking for filming solutions,” said the Ugandan founder.
These early wins indicate that VideoPro is not only solving a critical problem but also building brand recognition and trust among its target audience, positioning it for further regional expansion.
Leadership and Team Expertise of VideoPro
VideoPro’s team combines technical expertise, operational excellence, and strategic communications.
Louis Were from Ugandan, founder and director, brings software development experience and extensive knowledge of African production ecosystems.
Brian Macharia, head of operations, ensures smooth project delivery and team coordination across multiple countries. Liz Koch, communications strategy, provides digital marketing and SEO expertise to maximize visibility and client engagement.
“Our team is uniquely positioned because we combine production, technical, and digital expertise to solve longstanding industry challenges,” the reflects reflects on the team’s synergy
The complementary skills of the leadership team ensure that VideoPro can execute its vision effectively while maintaining high operational standards.
Overcoming Challenges and Sailing Onward
The startup faces common hurdles for African creative tech ventures, including securing reliable producers, generating working capital, and managing regional expansion costs such as visas and travel.
“Finding funds to scale and reach more regions is expensive due to visa and travel costs. But we have no option but to absorb the expense,” Louis candidly notes.
VideoPro addresses these challenges through partnerships with film schools, strategic social media recruitment, and collaboration with regional stakeholders.
By combining resourcefulness with a scalable operational model, the startup continues to expand its footprint sustainably, while maintaining service quality and client satisfaction.
The Road Ahead: Plans and Vision for the Future
VideoPro’s vision is ambitious yet grounded. The startup aims to become Africa’s go-to production network, build a bulletproof digital production system, democratize access to opportunities, and position itself at the center of the continent’s growing content market.
“As content demand explodes, we position ourselves at the center,” explained Louis, reflecting a strategic approach that aligns with Africa’s rapidly expanding creative economy.
Over the next 2 to 5 years, VideoPro plans to scale across all regions of Africa, optimize its platform, and solidify its reputation as a trusted hub for filmmakers and clients alike, ultimately professionalizing the continent’s video production ecosystem.
Talking Points
VideoPro presents a compelling solution to the persistent challenges in Africa’s film and video production industry, addressing issues of trust, transparency, and accessibility.
By creating a pan-African network of vetted crews and a digitized production management system, the startup reduces the risks of scams, uneven pricing, and fragmented information, while enabling clients to track projects and gain consistent support beyond production.
Founder Louis Were’s experience across the continent and the strategic integration of digital tools position VideoPro as a credible player in professionalizing film services.
However, the startup faces structural challenges, including high operational costs, funding constraints, and adoption barriers for both local producers and clients unfamiliar with tech-driven solutions.
While VideoPro’s emphasis on democratizing opportunities and breaking gatekeeping is laudable, scaling across diverse African markets will require sustained investment in regional partnerships, digital infrastructure, and local education to ensure widespread adoption and long-term sustainability.
Overall, VideoPro’s model is innovative and socially valuable, but its success will hinge on balancing technology deployment with practical industry realities.
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