Meet All African Contestants at the 71st Miss Universe Beauty Pageant

86 countries participated in the 71st Miss Universe beauty pageant.

For the first time, Bhutan will be vying for the Miss Universe crown, with Angola, Belize, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay joining again.

Sixteen candidates will be qualified and announced by a pre-selection panel of judges at a ceremony on January 14, 2023 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Meet all the contestants representing the participating African countries.

Miss Universe Seychelles – Gabriella Gontier

Gabriella Gonthier was born in Sydney, Australia, but grew up in the beautiful archipelago of the Seychelles, specifically Mahé. Gabriella graduated from the University of London, where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, where she specializes in International Business.

Miss Universe Cameroon – Mouketey Lynette Monalisa Jelly

Mouketey Lynette Monalisa Jelly is very social and loves people very much. She is also very strategic in her decision making. She is especially passionate about helping her children. She organizes Hope Day, a program that allows elementary school students to access school essentials.

Miss Universe Ghana – Engracia Moffman

Engracia Afua K. Mofuman is a professional model and translator of French, English, Spanish and Portuguese. She grew up not only in Ghana, but many other African countries that spurred her appreciation for different cultures.

Miss Universe Namibia – Kasia Sharpley

Cassia Sharpley is a vibrant and multifaceted young woman with 17 years of experience in the performing arts as a dancer, singer, actor, model, musician and songwriter. Her passion is also in her medical field as a paramedic.

Miss Universe South Africa – Ndavi Nokeri

Ndavi Nokeri was named Miss Universe South Africa in August 2022. She has her BCom Investment Management degree from her University of Pretoria and at the time of her coronation she was working for an asset management firm.

Miss Universe Equatorial Guinea – Alba Isabel Obama Morico

Alba Isabel Obama Morico is a 21-year-old law student from Equatorial Guinea. She was Miss Supranational Equatorial Guinea in 2019 and also won the Supramodel Award from Africa. She is the director and model monitor of the TV program “Equatorial Guinea Top Model”.