DAR ES SALAM, Oct. 12 -- TANZANIAN beauty queen Jihan Dimachk made history on Saturday by beating 75 contestants to win the coveted Miss Grand International 2026 crown in Bangkok, Thailand. As the first African woman to claim the title since the pageant began, her victory puts Tanzania and East Africa in the global spotlight.

But beyond the national pride, the achievement raises a bigger question: how can Tanzania turn this international recognition into lasting opportunities for its talent and creative industries?

The victory in Bangkok, Thailand, where Dimachk competed against contestants from around the world, demonstrates that Tanzanian talent can command attention on a global stage. It also challenges the tendency to present the co...