ANGOLA – Florinda José. This country’s best showing here to date was a threepeat Top 5/Top 6 placement from 2006 to 2008. While this primary school teacher appears to be of that caliber, she’s so far overshadowed by other African contenders – three of whom have already advanced to the Top 40. She can still be considered a strong possibility.

BOTSWANA – Lesego Chombo. This attorney’s already in the Top 40, thanks to her Head-to-Head Challenge victory. Yet, that didn’t stop her from qualifying from all remaining Fast Track challenges. Wrap all of that with her soothing yet powerful rhetoric and we might be looking at the African girl to beat.

CAMEROON – Julia Samantha Edima. Over a decade since its debut and this French-speaking nation can now finally boast one placement. That’s courtesy of Audrey Monkam who advanced in Puerto Rico. This actress is just as striking, but hasn’t earned enough nods to ascertain a follow-through.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – Mylene Djihony. After Olivia Yacé set the bar high in Puerto Rico, fans were eager to see how her equally gorgeous successor would fare. Alas, other Africans seem to have the momentum. One can only hope this marketing manager can still pull through.

ETHIOPIA – Rgat Afewerki Ybrah. Right now, another Ethiopian representing Belgium is enjoying more hype, but this brand ambassador pulled a positively surprising Best Designer Dress award among her continent. That’s not a Fast Track challenge, but at least she’s earning nods.

GHANA – Miriam Xorlasi. It’s strange not seeing her figure in the Head to Head Challenge, given how advocacy was always her country’s strong suit. Good thing this Ewe language teacher still managed a Sports Fast Track placement and she’s still vivacious enough to earn positive notice.

GUINEA – Makia Bamba. This country can rest easy knowing Nene Bah already scored a breakthrough in 2021/2022, though a back-to-back still feels hazy. To this double degree holder’s credit, she does have her worthy qualities.

GUINEA-BISSAU – Mirla Ferreira Dabó. The Lusophone among the Guineas has yet to make solid impact but this fashion design student sure looks polished.

KENYA – Chantou Kwamboka. As in Ghana‘s case, this country used to be Africa‘s Beauty with a Purpose champ, except other Africans grabbed those reins this year. She’s still one to watch, but let’s see how far she can ride the coattails of her Head to Head and Sports placements.

LESOTHO – Poelano Mothisi. This country’s Miss International debutante made a solid impression by coming close to placing last October. Here, it will likely be status quo for this transcriptionist.  

LIBERIA – Veralyn Vonleh. By December, it will be 25 years since Sebah Tubmann scored this country’s first and highest-ever showing. That record may not be surpassed yet, but this business graduate does impress.

MADAGASCAR – Antsali Rajoelina. Pundits might find this business graduate more competitive than her predecessor who placed in the previous edition’s Top 40. Given both her Head to Head and Sports placements, a back-to-back seems underway.  

MAURITIUS – Liza Gundowry. It’s made clear that this island nation isn’t the cellar dweller it used to be. While this Oxford facilitator isn’t among the African favorites, she continues those forward steps.

MOROCCO – Sonia Aït Mansour. This biochemistry engineer represented France in numerous pageants before. Now, she’s here, representing her land of lineage, which, by the way, last competed in 1968. That alone is already a major achievement. Couple that with her Sports Fast Track placement and she might even be in for her best showing.

NAMIBIA – Leone van Jaarsveld. Again, Caucasians comprise 6% of this country’s population, hence, this breathtaking blonde. This HR assistant has the makings of a frontrunner, though she hasn’t been earning much hype. Let’s hope her Sports Fast Track placement provides enough boost.

NIGERIA – Ada Eme. Much as it missed the Top 40 in the previous edition, this country’s undoubtedly back on the Miss World map. This event organizer’s now in the Top 40, thanks to Head to Head, and also qualified for Top Model.

SENEGAL – Fatou L’eau. This student leaves a striking impression but is still generally overshadowed. The same goes for…

SIERRA LEONE – Daisy Princess Mujeh Abdulai. She looked regal in the opening ceremonies but hasn’t earned much notice since.

SOMALIA – Bahja Mohamoud. To be blunt, this medical student won’t likely follow Khadija Omar’s footsteps. Either way, it’s nice to see the Horn of Africa in action again, given how it’s been struggling to debut in other pageants.

SOUTH AFRICA – Claude Mashego. This doctor arrived in India with huge expectations as she’s the first candidate sent by her country’s new Miss World license holder. So far, both her credentials and her country’s sash weight have been proving beneficial. She was shortlisted in Head to Head, Sports, Talent, and Top Model.  

SOUTH SUDAN – Arek Abraham Albino. She’s a striking and statuesque model, but it seems this young country’s heyday ended in 2015. She still has a fair shot, however, as she advanced in the Sports Fast Track.

TANZANIA – Halima Kopwe. This blood safety ambassador arrived under the radar, but her stakes dramatically increased after qualifying for Beauty with a Purpose.

TOGO – Chimène Moladja. After years of being a quiet Miss International mainstay, this country finally makes its debut here. She’s a stunning delegate, who qualified in the Top Model Fast Track. Hopefully, that citation translates to actual placement.

TUNISIA – Imen Mehrzi. Since returning over the past decade, this tiny North African country has slowly regained its footing. Now, this singer’s assured of a slot thanks to her Talent Fast Track victory. How can judges say no to someone who just released a single?

UGANDA – Hannah Tumukunde. After ending the previous decade on a stellar note, this country has seemingly gone back to basics. That was until this student qualified for Beauty with a Purpose.

ZIMBABWE – Nokutenda Marumbwa. Way to cap off this country’s best pageant year yet. This make-up artist now joins her African sisters Botswana and Nigeria in the Top 40, by way of her Head to Head Challenge victory.