Face it. Despite scoring a record number of placements last year, Africa‘s only major contender then was Botswana‘s Lesego Chembo. This year’s race is arguably tighter with at least four candidates having a shot at the continental title (or even the Blue Crown). Here’s the African group:

ANGOLA – Núria Assis. At 30, she’s the oldest candidate, though no official word was made about Miss World expanding its age limit. It’s strange how this singer didn’t go any further in Talent, though she did also qualify for Sports. Either way, these seem to bode well for the artist known mononymously as “Nur”. Granted the usual African suspects don’t pull through, she might just fight for her country’s first placement since 2008. 

BOTSWANA – Anicia Gaothusi. She may not be as heavily hyped as her predecessor who came memorably close to snatching the Blue Crown, but she can just as easily maintain the streak. She’s a student who advocates for teaching life-saving skills and was shortlisted in both Sports and Talent.

CAMEROON – Issie Princesse. Fresh from scoring her country’s first Miss Universe placement, this marketing director faces a new challenge: to keep the Miss World streak running for a third straight year. It should be an “Issie” task for this “Princesse”, even if the African showdown’s getting intense. For one, she was 1st Runner-Up in the Talent challenge.

CǑTE D’IVOIRE – Fatoumata Coulibaly. Sending this law student in Miss Universe crossover, Marie-Emanuelle Dialama’s stead has proven auspicious thus far, especially with her Top Model placement. And while she was ultimately edged out in that Challenge, she can still restore her country’s momentum after a year out. With luck, she might even take a shot at the continental title.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA – Estela Nguema Mangue. This future dental hygienist was shortlisted for Talent and has placement-worthy qualities overall. With every continent assured 10 slots, the Spanish-speaking Guinea might just pull a surprise.

ETHIOPIA – Hasset Dereje Admassu. Glammed up, she’s as striking as her predecessor, who unfortunately settled with Best Designer Dress. Sports nod aside, however, a better showing is so far not guaranteed.

GHANA – Jutta Pokuah Addo. Her country may not be the BWAP favorite it used to be, but her efforts in caring for a five-year-old girl with scoliosis might just tug heartstrings.

GUINEA – Kadiatou Savané. It’s too bad this artist missed the opening ceremonies, as she would have put on a spectacle. Not much is said about her, but her BWAP project centering on digital education does make a difference.

KENYA – Grace Ramtu. This fashion designer was up for Sports and Talent, but still hasn’t restored her country’s BWAP stronghold. All hope’s not lost, however, as she’s a compelling speaker with a strong stance against sexual violence.

MADAGASCAR – Cyria Temagnombe. For two years, the fourth largest island eased into the Top 40, and this advocate for children with albinism has just as much edge. But with no Challenge placements as her safety net, the streak might be at risk.

MAURITIUS – Wanna Elisha Rumnah. Being a tourism sponsor last year partly accounts for that last Top 12 finish. So, should this model of Indian descent maintain that streak, it would probably be for sentimental reasons. Her BWAP project, Bridges of Ability, is also pretty solid.

NAMIBIA – Selma Kamanya. As it stands, this economist already outdid her Miss Universe 2018 finish, not just with her Sports and Head to Head nods, but with her by-a-hair Top Model win. It’s indeed a feat worth rejoicing, and given her sustainable agricultural projects, making the second cut also feels likely.

NIGERIA – Joy Mojisola Raimi. This performing artist founded theLove for Humanityproject and was shortlisted in Sports and Talent. Chances are, she can put her country through for the sixth straight year.

SENEGAL – Mame Fama Gaye. The country has yet to make waves since debuting in 2017, and this striking criminal science student isn’t pegged to change that yet. One interesting tidbit, though, is that she witnessed the delivery of the first baby born in 2025, who happens to be Senegalese.

SIERRA LEONE – Lachaeveh Davies. This communications graduate was a surprising standout at the opening ceremonies and has now bolstered her chances with her BWAP placement. Suddenly, she seems set to follow Marieta Kargbo’s footsteps.

SOMALIA – Zainab Jama. As her country’s first non-hijab-wearing representative, this aviation graduate enjoyed strong pre-pageant hype. Yet, no one would have anticipated her emotional Head to Head, where she revealed her own traumatic experiences with female genital mutilation (FGM), or female circumcision – the very practice she now combats through her BWAP initiative. While she only stalled in the Top 20 of said Challenge, she’ll still likely go far in the overall race. She might even take a shot at the continental title or, who knows, even more.

SOUTH AFRICA – Zoalise Jansen van Rensburg. Frankly, she’s no longer the absolute early frontrunner her initial photos suggested and Somalia was a tough act to follow in Head to Head. This is not to say, however, this law student’s no longer in the running. She still figured in said challenge and even won her continent’s Designer Dress award. In all likelihood, she’ll still power through. It’s the overall win that’s now in dispute.

SOUTH SUDAN – Atom Tito Mathiech. If her predecessor managed to make the cut with minimal buzz, then so can this executive assistant. Her BWAP project, entitled R.I.S.E.,empowers vulnerable children through education.

TOGO – Nathalie Yao-Aumuama. After settling with a Top Model placement in its debut year, the West African country sends us this chemist. It’s unclear if she can avenge her predecessor’s non-placement, though her credentials are indeed impressive.

TUNISIA – Lamis Redissi. This marketing research student bowed out early in Talent, the very Challenge that placed her predecessor. Luckily, she still has the beauty and substance to pass muster. Her BWAP project focuses on turning children’s hospital rooms into joyful retreats.

UGANDA – Natasha Nyonyozi. Remember: her Top Eight-placing predecessor kept low-key until the BWAP projects were taken into account. Now, here comes this accountant following that same route. Her winning project focuses on autism awareness and she can possibly even make the second cut.

ZAMBIA – Faith Bwalya. For decades, this country long settled with underrated gems. That was until this clinical medicine graduate slayed her Head to Head challenge and is now the first from her country to make the cut. It’s a long overdue break, which she herself was surprised to learn. 

ZIMBABWE – Courtney Jongwe. Fresh from a Miss Earth Top 20 placement in her country’s best year yet, this engineering senior now crosses over to Morley-ville. There’s a chance she can continue her strong momentum, with her Sports and Multimedia Challenge placements and her mental wellness initiative, “The Sanctuary Project”. 

SUMMARY:
ALREADY QUALIFIED: Zambia (Head to Head), Namibia (Top Model), Uganda (Beauty with a Purpose) TOP 40 PICKS: Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Zimbabwe
ALTERNATES: Angola, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tunisia
DARK HORSES: Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mauritius, Senegal, South Sudan, Togo