In a night marked by celebration, emotion, and cultural pride, Ethiopia’s Hasset Dereje was named Miss World Africa and 1st Runner-Up at the 72nd Miss World pageant, held at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, India.
The 19-year-old stood out among 108 contestants from across the globe, advancing through each round of the month-long Miss World Festival. Her performance culminated in a place among the top four finalists and a continental crown — a significant moment for Ethiopia and Africa at large.
Hasset’s campaign throughout the competition was underscored by her dedication to mental health advocacy, particularly in rural Ethiopian communities. Her “Beauty With a Purpose” project focused on establishing safe spaces for mental health education and counselling services in schools, a cause she described as “deeply personal.”
In the final round of questioning, she delivered a message that resonated with the judging panel and global audience alike:
“True beauty lies in the ability to uplift others when they are most vulnerable. As Miss World, I would use my voice to break the silence around mental health and create spaces where healing, hope, and humanity flourish.”
Her remarks were praised by the Miss World Chairwoman, Julia Morley CBE, who described Dereje’s presentation as one of “grace, insight, and purpose.”
At just 19, Hasset is already regarded in Ethiopia as a voice for her generation. A mental health campaigner and youth mentor, her emergence on the global stage has sparked widespread national pride, with tributes pouring in across social media and traditional media outlets.
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, led by Ergoge Tesfaye, congratulated her in an official statement, saying:
“Hasset Dereje has not only represented Ethiopia with honour and distinction, but she has also shown the world the beauty of compassion, intelligence, and leadership.”
Dereje’s recognition as Miss World Africa follows a strong showing by other African delegates, including Uganda’s Natasha Nyonyozi, who received the “Beauty With a Purpose” award, and finalists from Nigeria and Cameroon. But it was Dereje who advanced to the top four, ultimately placing behind Thailand’s Opal Suchata Chuangsri, who was crowned Miss World 2025.
In a message shared shortly after the results, Hasset thanked her supporters and reflected on the significance of her achievement:
“This title is not just mine — it belongs to every person who believed in me. It belongs to Africa. To Ethiopia and my family: your sacrifices and prayers carried me here. This crown is our victory.”
“Being named Miss World Africa and First Runner-Up is an honour I will never take for granted. If I’ve made it this far, it’s only to serve you further. I promise to represent Africa with every step — to work alongside my radiant African queens and rewrite the narratives the world has written about us.”
As Miss World Africa 2025, Hasset Dereje is expected to lead social impact initiatives across the continent, with a continued focus on mental health awareness, youth engagement, and redefining the role of African women on the global stage.
