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Tanzanian model Eve Godwin Mkini, has emerged winner of the Miss Africa International 2026 competition held at Aztec Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday, November 1.
Mkini clinched the continental crown at the event, which brought together contestants and personalities from the pageantry and entertainment sectors to celebrate African beauty, culture and diversity.
The competition was judged by a panel comprising Dr Michael Pinder, Dr Stella Jerry, Emma Schneider, Kevok Kholobikian, Tamunosoye Karibi-George and Nollywood actress Tana Whyte.
Augustina Augustine hosted the event.
Speaking after her emergence, Mkini described her victory as the fulfilment of a long-held dream and the beginning of a greater responsibility to inspire young women and contribute to community development.
She said her journey into modelling initially provided an opportunity to express herself and build confidence, but she later discovered that beauty pageantry offered a bigger platform for women to make their voices heard and contribute to society.
“Today, becoming Miss Africa International 2026 is a dream come true, but for me, it is also the beginning of a bigger responsibility. I want to use this opportunity to inspire other young women to believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams,” she said.
During her reign, the Tanzanian beauty queen plans to focus on women’s empowerment, education, skills development and entrepreneurship.
She also intends to expand her Heritage to Future project, which seeks to encourage young people to appreciate their cultural heritage, develop their talents and turn their skills into opportunities.
Mkini said she hopes to work with communities in Tanzania and other African countries to promote cultural preservation and youth development.
On her vision for Africa, she said the continent had much to offer in terms of culture, history, talent and natural beauty, adding that she wanted the world to appreciate its strengths and possibilities beyond the challenges it faces.
The beauty queen described her new position as an opportunity to promote African traditions, tourism and the contributions of African people to the global community.
Reflecting on the significance of the title, Mkini said she hoped to be remembered as a queen who used her platform to create meaningful opportunities rather than simply enjoy the glamour of wearing the crown.
“For me, a crown becomes meaningful when the impact continues even after the reign is over,” she said.
