Sierra Leone’s Mariyam Konneh Ranked Top 5 in Africa at Miss World Beauty With a Purpose Contest
Bernice Bangura Sierra Leone’s representative at the Miss World 2026 pageant, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, has been named among the top five winners from Africa in the Beauty with a Purpose project competition.
The 22-year-old final-year student, TV presenter, and entrepreneur is competing at the 75th anniversary of the Miss World festival in Vietnam. Her project, titled “The Fight Against Drugs, Addiction, Poverty,” focuses on helping vulnerable young people, women, and girls through health and community programmes.
Konneh, who holds the titles of Miss Sierra Leone 2026 and Miss World Sierra Leone 2026, uses fashion and cultural designs to promote her country’s heritage on the global stage. She was born in Freetown, hails from Pujehun District, and has ties to the Northern Region.
She is also the founder and CEO of Mariyam’s Ways Limited and its foundation, and has been named among the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone.
During her time in Vietnam, she has taken part in charity work, school visits, and closed-door interviews with Miss World judges.
The Miss World 2026 grand finale will be broadcast live from Ho Chi Minh City on 5 September.
Regardless of the final result, Konneh has received widespread praise at home for her dedication and representation of Sierra Leone.