Mariyam Konneh Earns Top 6 African Spot in Miss World Beauty With a Purpose

Sierra Leone’s Miss World 2026 representative, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, has been selected among the Top 6 contestants from Africa in the Beauty with a Purpose Project Competition at the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Miss World Festival in Vietnam.

Mariyam’s project, “The Fight Against Drugs, Addiction, Poverty,” focuses on addressing the underlying challenges associated with drug abuse and addiction, which contribute to deaths, extreme poverty and the loss of a generation.

Through the initiative, the 22-year-old seeks to empower girls, women and vulnerable young people through her Healthy Body, Healthy Mind and Healthy Community Programme.

The recognition adds to Mariyam’s growing visibility at Miss World, where she has continued to promote Sierra Leone’s culture, heritage and identity while using her platform to advocate for positive social change.

Born in Freetown, hailing from Pujehun District and with strong connections to the Northern Region, Mariyam represents Sierra Leone’s cultural diversity. She has showcased this identity through fashion, including a recent Krio-inspired design blended with Western influences.

Mariyam is a former AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2022 and Miss Sierra Leone 2026. She is also a final-year Banking and Finance student at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone, as well as a television presenter, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

She is the Founder and CEO of Mariyam’s Ways Limited and the Mariyam’s Ways Foundation and has been recognised among the 50 Most Influential Women in Sierra Leone.

During her Miss World journey in Vietnam, Mariyam has participated in charity activities in communities and schools and engaged in interviews with Miss World judges, sharing her personal journey, values and advocacy.

Her selection among the Top 6 from Africa in the Beauty with a Purpose competition further highlights the social impact component of her Miss World campaign, which goes beyond beauty and focuses on using influence and visibility to create meaningful change.

The Miss World 2026 grand finale is scheduled for September 5, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where Mariyam will represent Sierra Leone alongside contestants from around the world.