NHA TRANG, Vietnam — Africa has already made its mark at the 75th anniversary edition of Miss World, securing multiple spots in the next round of the competition as contestants from across the continent continue their push for the crown ahead of Saturday’s grand final.
The continent’s progress includes Nigeria’s Soye Karibi-George winning the Africa Top Model title and earning a place in the Top 40, while Zambia has reached the Top 40 for the second consecutive year.
Africa has also secured five finalists for the Miss World Multimedia Award, with representatives from Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia making the continental shortlist.
The five finalists are Ivy Trizah of Kenya, Elly Aroni of Namibia, Latricia Ian of Tanzania, Trivia Elle Muhoza of Uganda and Adah Mushibi of Zambia.
The Miss World Organisation said the Multimedia Award assessed contestants on creativity, authenticity, consistency, purposeful storytelling and their ability to build genuine connections with audiences.
“The standard was exceptionally high,” the organisation said, noting that selecting five finalists from each continental region was difficult.
The recognition adds another layer to Africa’s performance in a competition where the continent has historically produced some of the pageant’s strongest contestants and one of its most celebrated winners.
Nigeria’s Karibi-George has already secured one of Africa’s clearest breakthroughs this year after winning the Africa Top Model title. Her victory automatically placed her in the Top 40.
If she wins the overall Top Model title, she will be fast-tracked to the Top 20.
Her achievement has also kept alive Nigeria’s ambitions of claiming a second Miss World crown. The country’s first came in 2001 when Agbani Darego became the first African to win the title.
With Karibi-George’s advancement, Nigeria has now reached the next stage of the competition for the third consecutive year.
Uganda among Africa’s finalists
Uganda’s Trivia Elle Muhoza has emerged as one of the continent’s five Multimedia Award finalists, giving the country another strong showing on the Miss World stage.
Muhoza has also been recognised through the World Designer Award, where she presented a mermaid gown inspired by the sacrifice and journey of mothers through childbirth.
Designed by Keesha Abdallah, the gown uses layered tulle, stretch satin, pearls, glass beads and crystal stones. Its colours move from peach and gold to coral, red, maroon and burgundy, symbolising the journey from nurturing to birth.
Uganda’s presence in the Multimedia Award shortlist also reflects the growing importance of storytelling and social impact in the competition, where contestants are judged not only on appearance but also on their causes, communication and community initiatives.
At the Beauty With a Purpose Gala Dinner in Nha Trang, all 111 national ambassadors were recognised for their projects and volunteer work in their respective countries.
Zambia keeps its momentum
Zambia has also maintained its recent momentum, reaching the Top 40 for the second consecutive year.
Its representative, Adah Mushibi, won the Africa Multimedia Award, helping secure Zambia’s advancement in the competition.
The result gives Zambia another opportunity to build on its growing presence at Miss World and demonstrates the strength of the continent’s representation beyond the traditional pageant powerhouses.
Across the continent, the gains have come through different routes—from Top Model victories and multimedia recognition to advancement in the main competition.
Africa’s progress comes as contestants prepare for the final stage of the 75th anniversary edition, which is being hosted in Vietnam for the first time.
The final will take place on September 5 in Nha Trang, where the next Miss World will be crowned during a worldwide live broadcast.
For Africa, the competition has already produced reasons to celebrate.
Nigeria has a Top 40 finalist and the Africa Top Model winner. Zambia has secured another consecutive Top 40 appearance and an Africa Multimedia Award. Uganda is among the five African Multimedia Award finalists and has earned recognition in the World Designer Award.
The remaining question is whether these achievements can translate into an even deeper run when the competition reaches its final stages.
For a continent that has often had to fight for visibility on the world’s biggest stages, Africa has already ensured that its presence at the 75th Miss World anniversary will not be a footnote.