CST Expo set to spotlight creative, sport, and tourism sectors
A three-day collaborative event was officially launched yesterday at the Hage Geingob Stadium by Emeraldsand Platforms in support of the Brand Namibia vision and with the backing of Information and Communication Technology minister Emma Theofelus.
Organisers said the expo aims to create a national platform where the creative, sport and tourism sectors intersect to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Emeraldsand Platforms executive director Nangula Nelulu Uaandja said the initiative comes at a time when Namibia is seeking new avenues for job creation and economic diversification. “It is with great pride and optimism that I introduce the inaugural CST Expo 2026. This is a defining moment for our nation as we rally behind the bold vision of our President to create 500 000 jobs and build a truly inclusive and dynamic Namibian economy,” Uaandja said.
Uaandja said Namibia’s tourism sector has historically been a key economic driver but argued that the country’s creative and sports industries remain largely underutilised. “By bringing these sectors together, we unlock powerful synergies capable of igniting innovation, empowering entrepreneurs and creating meaningful employment, particularly for our youth,” she said.
The stadium will be transformed into a hub of exhibitions, performances, and competitions. Organisers expect more than 200 indoor and outdoor exhibitors showcasing creative industries, tourism destinations, and lifestyle experiences.
The programme will also feature more than 20 workshops led by entrepreneurs, experts, and innovators from across the three sectors, while sporting activities under the #Games banner are expected to attract more than 3 000 athletes competing across 10 sporting codes.
Speaking at the launch, Theofelus said Namibia’s tourism reputation has largely been built on its leisure offering, which attracted around 1.6 million visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic. “Namibia’s leisure tourism offering has for many years been the driver of our brand positioning globally,” she said. “It has served us well and has maintained Namibia’s position as one of the African countries attracting large tourist numbers.”
However, she stressed that the country’s potential extends beyond traditional tourism. “Namibia offers more than just leisure tourism. We are a country that any global citizen should consider investing in, trading with, developing, living in, and, of course, visiting,” she said.
Theofelus added that the CST Expo demonstrates how tourism, sport, and creativity can work together to create new economic opportunities. “The Creative Sports and Tourism Expo recognises that when these sectors work together, they create something far greater than the sum of their parts,” she said.
She said the platform could help diversify Namibia’s tourism economy while creating opportunities for young people in sports, media, entertainment, and digital production. “Platforms such as CST create pathways for young Namibians to transform their passion into sustainable livelihoods,” she said.
Entry fees for the expo will be N$100 for adults and N$20 for children aged six to 18, while children under six and people over 60 will enter free.
