The global esports industry has witnessed exponential growth, yet its expansion in emerging economies remains constrained by infrastructure limitations, regulatory uncertainty, and limited investment. This paper proposes a Strategic Leadership Framework for fostering sustainable esports markets in these economies. By integrating visionary leadership, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure development, talent cultivation, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable business models, this framework aims to address key challenges and unlock esports’ economic potential. This explores the role of strategic leadership in guiding esports development, drawing on established leadership theories and their applicability to emerging industries. It highlights the esports ecosystem in developing regions, analyzing critical stakeholders such as players, teams, sponsors, governments, and media. Through case studies of successful esports markets, the paper identifies best practices that can be adapted to local contexts. Key strategic initiatives include improving digital infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, standardizing regulations, and implementing structured talent pipelines. Despite the promising opportunities esports presents such as job creation, technological innovation, and youth engagement—significant barriers remain, including funding constraints, digital access disparities, and cultural perceptions of gaming. This framework provides a structured approach to overcoming these challenges, offering practical recommendations for policymakers, investors, and industry leaders. As esports continues to gain mainstream recognition, emerging economies have a unique opportunity to position themselves as competitive players in the global industry. By implementing a strategic leadership-driven approach, they can foster inclusive, scalable, and economically viable esports ecosystems. This research contributes to the growing discourse on esports development, emphasizing the need for proactive leadership and strategic planning to unlock its full potential in emerging markets.