Esports is rapidly evolving into a global phenomenon, and Africa is no exception. The future of gaming in the continent is promising, especially for female gamers. The gsport Newsroom went into the world of esports in Kenya a few months ago, profiling a gamer “Dark Willow” and the progress made by the Kenyan esports Federation. The focus now switches to Namibia.
Namibian international Maja ‘CyberGhost’ Carstens got into gaming at a young age and has never looked back since.
“My parents bought my younger brother and me a few PC games back when they were still available on CDs, and we’d also get games through PC magazines like NAG magazine and PC Format. Later, we transitioned to console gaming, and it wasn’t until 2016 that I returned to PC gaming when my boyfriend’s brother introduced me to the competitive title: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.”
“It was only in 2018, when I participated in NESA’s tournament for IESF, that I truly got involved in esports. So in terms of accessibility, I’d say it was fairly easy for me to get into gaming, especially since I had exposure to it from a young age.”
Fast forward to 2022 Carstens was in Bali with an all-female Namibian team, proudly representing their country.
“It was at the IESF World Esports Championship in Bali, in December 2022. It was a surreal experience, especially considering the challenges we faced in forming a full Namibian female Counter-Strike team.”
Namibian Esports International, Maja ‘CyberGhost’ Carstens
In 2022, IESF officially announced the inclusion of all-female teams in Counter-Strike, and only four countries managed to enter teams.
“Being part of that historic moment was incredible, and despite the obstacles, we were proud to compete on the international stage. It was an incredible experience! Seeing the passion and dedication from other countries toward esports was truly inspiring.
“Despite the challenges, we gave it our all and secured 4th place. While it wasn’t a podium finish, it was still a significant achievement—not just for us as a team, but for Namibia as a whole. Competing on that stage was a proud moment and a major milestone for female esports in our country.”
Unlike for many girls accessibility was not an issue for Carstens. She says in Namibia more females are showing interest in the sport and she welcomes the shift.
“At the Namibian LAN last November, I noticed more female players actively participating in different gaming titles, which was fantastic to see. It’s encouraging to witness more women stepping into the gaming space, especially in Namibia, where it’s still quite rare.”
“I have also noticed more female players overseas getting involved—not just in competitive gaming but also in streaming. More women are now taking part in a variety of games and building their presence in the gaming community through platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Seeing this global shift is really exciting because it helps normalise female participation in gaming and esports, making it more accessible for future generations.”
“Tournaments like IESF, which are adding more female titles, are a big step in the right direction. Events like the Blast Bounty Spring 2025, where Imperial FE faced off against NAVI, also help showcase that women can be just as skilled—if not better—than their male counterparts. These kinds of tournaments provide visibility and motivation for young girls and female players to take part, which is quite exciting to see!”
Esports is unique in that it levels the playing field for women in competitive sports. Unlike traditional sports, where physical differences may create disparities, esports primarily tests mental agility, strategy, teamwork, and reflexes. Women are just as capable as men in excelling in these areas, making esports an excellent platform for gender equality. What is key though is ensuring that women feel safe and feel like they belong there too.
“The key to creating a safe and welcoming space is fostering a community where people are kind, supportive, and inclusive, not toxic or sexist.This means actively encouraging female gamers, providing mentorship opportunities, and ensuring that gaming spaces (both online and offline) have zero tolerance for harassment.”
“Representation also plays a big role—when young girls see other women thriving in gaming, it inspires them to believe they belong in the space too. I also think that we should get more female tournaments or ask that existing tournaments introduce special awards, such as “Best FE Team” or “Best FE Player of the Tournament.”
This would not only recognise female talent but also encourage more women to participate and feel welcomed in the competitive scene.
“Creating a truly inclusive gaming environment requires continuous effort from players, organisers, and the gaming community as a whole. With the right support and mindset, we can reach.”
By fostering safe spaces, encouraging representation, and addressing systemic barriers, Africa can empower more girls to embrace gaming—not only as a hobby but as a legitimate career and passion. At the same time, the support must include sponsors actively recognising female gamers as brands that they can partner and collaborate with.
“I can’t speak much from personal experience because I haven’t had any sponsors myself and haven’t needed anything sponsored. From what I know, NESA had sponsors who provided our team’s clothing for Bali, but beyond that, sponsorship opportunities seem scarce—especially for independent players who aren’t part of a team or organisation.”
“In Namibia, I imagine sponsorship is difficult across all sports, not just esports. But for female gamers, it’s likely even tougher, as gaming is still a male-dominated space.”
From international tournaments like Valorant Game Changers to African initiatives such as FEJA (Festival de l’Electronique et du Jeu Vidéo d’Abidjan), female-focused gaming competitions are gaining momentum. These events showcase the talent of women gamers while fostering inclusivity and representation. CyberGhost describes the gaming space in Namibia.
“The esports scene in Namibia is still quite small, with very few tournaments available. The main international opportunities are through IESF’s World Esports Championships and platforms like VS Gaming and ESEA, though I rarely see Namibian players participating in the latter two.
“On a local level, we have NAMLan, a physical LAN event in Windhoek where players compete in various titles over a weekend. However, esports in Namibia still has a long way to go in terms of growth. There are very few players who take it seriously, and even fewer who actively participate.
“Personally, I struggled for two years to find enough players to form a female Counter-Strike team just to compete in the IESF tournament. This highlights the lack of awareness and interest in competitive gaming among female players in Namibia, as well as the challenges in building structured teams. The scene needs more exposure, opportunities, and support to encourage more participation across all levels.”
The struggle for traditional media to support and adequately cover women’s sports is still ongoing however the gap has narrowed significantly. The challenges faced by females in esports stem from societal biases, historical inequalities, and systemic issues in media representation.
Addressing these issues requires systemic change, consistent advocacy, and a shift in cultural attitudes. Carstens paints the picture of how media has fared in Namibia.
“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure about the full extent of media coverage, but from what I’ve seen, traditional sports do receive regular attention. A few newspapers provide updates, and Sport Wrap writes articles and shares them on social media. However, when it comes to women in esports, media coverage is almost nonexistent.”
“When we travelled to Bali to represent Namibia, hardly anyone knew about it. There were no reports or articles covering our participation or our 4th-place finish—except for one newspaper, and even that only happened because one of our player’s mothers reached out to them. Despite making history as one of the few female teams competing internationally, there was little to no recognition.
“This highlights a major gap in media attention for women in gaming and esports. Without proper coverage, it becomes even harder to grow the scene and encourage more female players to get involved.”
The continent has seen exponential growth in gaming, fuelled by increasing internet penetration, access to affordable gaming devices, and the rise of competitive gaming tournaments. Within this surge, female gamers are beginning to carve out spaces in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Most recently Carstens joined Aperture FE after being a substitute for some of their scrims. She says it’s a great team with a relaxed and supportive environment. She’s been enjoying being part of a team again.
Aperture FE team is a team in South Africa, and is the only Namibian female player on their roster. With that, CyberGhost says collaboration is essential if we want to grow esports in Africa.
“By working together—whether through regional tournaments, cross-country partnerships, or shared resources—we can strengthen our esports scene and gain more recognition internationally.
“If we showcase our talent on a larger scale, more sponsors and global tournaments will take notice. It’s not just about competing within our own countries; it’s about proving that Africa has a strong and passionate esports community.
“I think if organisations in different African countries support one another and work together to host tournaments, it could significantly help build the scene. Regular competitions between African nations would create more opportunities for players, increase visibility for esports on the continent, and encourage more investment from sponsors and tournament organisers.”
As she continues to champion the scene in Namibia she hopes to see more growth and more women competing in the sport.
“My dream for esports in Namibia is to see it grow into a well-respected and recognised sport. I hope we can develop a larger scene with more tournaments—beyond just the one big international qualifier—so that players have consistent opportunities to compete.
“For Africa, I hope to see a unified and flourishing esports industry where players don’t have to struggle for recognition and where African teams are regularly competing on the global stage.
“As for myself, I want to see more female players getting involved in esports in Namibia. I hope to be part of that change and contribute to making the space more welcoming and accessible for women who share the same passion for gaming.”
Main Photo Caption: Namibia’s Maja ‘CyberGhost’ Carstens is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the continent’s foremost women gamers, she has been carving her name for herself competitively since 2022 after an early start to the sport. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Namibian international Maja ‘CyberGhost’ Carstens got into gaming at a young age and has never looked back since.
Photo 3 Caption: Carstens: “The key to creating a safe and welcoming space is fostering a community where people are kind, supportive, and inclusive, not toxic or sexist.”
Photo 4 Caption: The Namibian gamer says: “I want to see more female players getting involved in esports in Namibia. I hope to be part of that change.”
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
