Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, received the flag on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Vietnam during the Miss World 2026 finale
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has formally received the hosting flag for the 74th Miss World Festival, marking the official handover of responsibilities from Vietnam ahead of next year’s global beauty contest.
Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Hamis Mwinjuma, received the flag on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in Vietnam during the Miss World 2026 finale.
The handover comes as Tanzania prepares to welcome contestants from around the world for the May 2027 edition, which will make the country the first in East and Central Africa to host the prestigious competition.
The Miss World Organisation confirmed earlier this year that Tanzania had secured the rights to stage the 74th edition.
The hosting agreement was signed in Dar es Salaam on April 20 between the Tanzanian Government and Miss World Limited, led by chairwoman and chief executive Julia Morley.
The organisation said Tanzania will become the fourth African country to host Miss World, after South Africa, Seychelles and Nigeria. South Africa was previously the only country in the region to stage the competition.
The flag handover therefore carries significance beyond the pageant itself. It symbolises the transition from Vietnam’s 75th anniversary edition to Tanzania’s historic chapter and places the country under greater international attention.
Vietnam concluded its hosting duties on Saturday with the crowning of Dominican Republic’s Joheirry Mola, who won the 2026 title in Nha Trang. Tanzania’s representative, Latricia Ian Sawe, reached the Top 40 among 111 contestants, providing a strong performance as the country prepares to host the next edition.
For Tanzania, the opportunity presents a major tourism and destination-marketing platform. The Miss World Organisation has highlighted the country’s Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and cultural heritage as attractions that can be showcased to the international audience.
The event is also expected to benefit the hospitality, creative and tourism sectors. Previous analysis of Tanzania’s hosting bid suggested the month-long festival could attract thousands of international visitors while exposing the country to a global television and digital audience.
However, the opportunity comes with considerable responsibility. Tanzania will need to ensure high standards in accommodation, transport, venues, security, event management and international broadcasting.
A successful festival could strengthen the country's reputation as a destination capable of hosting major international events
