Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is preparing to host the Miss World 2026 pageant, following official discussions between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the leadership of the Miss World Organization on July 20, 2025, in the historic fishing village of Kizimkazi on the southern coast of Zanzibar.
The high-level meeting was led by Julia Evelyn Morley, Chairperson and CEO of the global pageant body, accompanied by Opal Suchata Chuangsri, the newly crowned Miss World 2025 from Thailand, and Hasset Dereje Admassu, the reigning Miss World Africa from Ethiopia.
Also present at the meeting were representatives from Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, both of which are key players in the country’s national branding and tourism promotion strategies.
President Samia’s warm reception of the Miss World delegation highlighted the administration’s growing commitment to using culture and international events as instruments of diplomacy and economic development. The event, set for 2026, will mark the first time the global beauty pageant is hosted in Tanzania, and only the second time in East Africa, following Kenya‘s co-hosting of Miss World Africa preliminaries in the 1990s.
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Hosting Miss World is expected to significantly boost Tanzania’s visibility on the international stage and attract new waves of tourism to destinations such as:
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak
- Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Migration
- Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- The crystal-clear beaches of Nungwi and Paje in Zanzibary
President Samia, Tanzania’s first female head of state, has placed a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment, cultural pride, and nation branding through arts, tourism, and media. The upcoming pageant will be designed to reflect not just global standards of beauty but also Tanzania’s diverse cultural heritage, from Maasai beadwork and Sukuma drumming to Swahili hospitality.
This moment also represents an economic opportunity. According to WTTC, tourism already contributes over 17% to Tanzania’s GDP. Hosting a global event like Miss World could elevate that figure further by drawing international investors, journalists, designers, and fans.
Local artisans, hotels, fashion designers, musicians, and tour guides stand to benefit from increased exposure and demand. The Ministry of Culture has already begun planning a national showcase, which will feature traditional music, dance, fashion, and culinary arts during the week of the pageant.
The Miss World platform also promotes global initiatives like Beauty with a Purpose, which aligns with President Samia’s health and education agendas, particularly in the areas of maternal health, youth development, and education for girls.
Over the coming months, Tanzania will embark on a large-scale coordination effort involving:
- Finalizing event venues in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
- Strengthening infrastructure and security protocols
- Launching global promotional campaigns with support from the Tanzania Tourist Board
- Engaging international media and influencers to promote the pageant and the country
Preparations will be guided by the shared goal of making Miss World 2026 a celebration of beauty, unity, and Tanzanian excellence.
