Indonesia Establishes Itself as the World Esports Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia's success as host and runner-up of the 2026 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) M7 World Championship has ignited enthusiasm to strengthen its position as a global esports hub. The government is committed to supporting the growth of the gaming industry as a new driver of growth in the national creative economy.

"We're not just looking at the overall development of this industry, but also at how these products and ecosystems can be developed more strategically for the long haul. Furthermore, there's a vital dimension in government-to-government relations, with a number of foreign officials attending the event.

"Going forward, coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also be strengthened to support international event diplomacy," said Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar when receiving esports activists from Moonton Games at the Autograph Tower in Jakarta.

In a press statement received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Thursday, 5 March 2026, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene emphasized that government support is not solely focused on industry growth in terms of popularity and market scale, but also on how products and ecosystems can be developed strategically and sustainably. Moreover, the development of the esports industry in Indonesia in recent years has shown a remarkable upward trajectory.

In addition to being supported by a large young population and high internet penetration, the ecosystem is also increasingly mature, ranging from game developers, tournament organizers, professional teams, content creators, to supporting business actors such as event organizers and technology providers. This value chain is opening up broad economic opportunities and contributing to an increase in the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The economic impact of M7 in Solo serves as a tangible proof. Within a month, the event recorded an investment value of nearly US$4 million. In terms of employment, approximately 2,200 people were involved, including security personnel and the entire event operations team.

This figure demonstrates that global-scale esports events can create direct and indirect jobs in a relatively short time.

Overall, hosting international events like M7 demonstrates that the gaming industry and the creative economy make a significant contribution to investment, job creation, increased tourism, and strengthened Indonesia's position on the global stage.

In the future, coordinated efforts across ministries, industry players, and international partners based on data and strategic planning will be key to maximizing the gaming subsector's immense potential as a key engine of national economic growth.