Tanzania’s Jihan Mohin Dimachk, 30, won Miss Grand International 2026 in Bangkok on Saturday, October 10, becoming the first beauty pegeant to win the title while representing an African country. She beat nearly 80 contestants in the final at the MGI Hall at Bravo BKK and succeeded Emma Tiglao of the Philippines.
Shyare Andrade of Ecuador was named first runner-up, followed by Beau Megan Goos of the Netherlands, Ximena Carrillo of Guatemala and Emoura Pham of Vietnam. Côte d’Ivoire’s Kany Kouassi was among the fifth runners-up, giving Africa two representatives in the top 10. The result ends the Philippines’ two-year hold on the crown.
The win, Africa’s first Miss Grand International crown, has attracted global attention and congratulations. Ghana-born Abena Appiah won the title in 2020, but she competed for the United States and was billed as the pageant’s first Black winner. Dimachk is the first winner to represent an African nation.
Tanzania’s previous best placing was fifth runner-up in 2025, according to published pageant records. President Samia Suluhu Hassan congratulated Dimachk on Saturday, calling the win a source of national pride and urging young women to be confident and pursue their talents.
Dimachk is of Tanzanian and Lebanese heritage, a model who started at 17 and a former Miss Universe Tanzania, according to Pageant Circle. She represented Tanzania at Miss Universe 2016 in the Philippines and was crowned Miss Grand Tanzania 2026 in August, representing Mwanza.
Her national costume drew on Tanzania’s safari identity, with a headpiece inspired by Mount Kilimanjaro and tanzanite detailing.
The top five were asked what qualities an empowered woman should possess. Dimachk answered that she should have a kind heart and named her mother as her example, describing her as someone who puts others first and is always ready to help.
Miss Grand International was founded in 2013 by Thai television host Nawat Itsaragrisil and is based in Bangkok. Beyond the stage, it runs a “Stop the War and Violence” campaign that calls for peace, tolerance and respect for human dignity.
This year’s final was moved from New Delhi to Thailand weeks before delegates were due in India, after organisers said the Indian host committee failed to meet the pageant’s five-star requirements.
The 15th edition is scheduled for Thailand next year.
Africa Global News publication.