T
he conclusions of beauty are often drawn from seemingly perfect physical attributes that society has historically helped us define. While some argue that beauty is skin deep, others beg to differ. Regardless of which group you fall under, we can all agree that a beautiful heart is important, yet that’s no excuse to ignore the physical aspects of charm. As the year wraps up, we return with our annual roundup of the most beautiful African women––who have proven to be not only physically appealing but also beautiful on the inside.
The women who make up this list have blazed trails in their respective careers, often surpassing expectations. These women are remarkable because they are also making time to give back as they look beyond themselves to impact and inspire. Regardless of their industries, whether music or movies, business or fashion, these ladies are cut from the same fabric of excellence, resilience, compassion, and the desire to be the best of who they can be. And yes, they’re absolutely good-looking in appearance, style and character.
Here are the most beautiful African women of 2023…
#20. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Age: 46
Profession: Writer
Nationality: Nigerian
Half of a Yellow Sun author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an unapologetic feminist. Born and raised in Eastern Nigeria, she often shares her views about the patriarchal system, championing a new society where women enjoy equal opportunities as their male counterparts. When it comes to writing, the brilliant storyteller showcases a mastery of words, painting pictures that reverberate long after the book is closed. Her significant contributions to literature have won her global awards and recognitions, including the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction in 2007. One of her most recent pieces, “Notes on Grief,” was awarded the Best Title of the Summer award at the 2023 Indie Book Awards. Chimamanda Adichie inspires young women around the world to own their voice and never be afraid of using it.
#19. Zozibini Tunzi
Age: 30
Profession: Model
Nationality: South African
Zozibini Tunzi is a true embodiment of glamour and does it so effortlessly. In 2019, she made history as the first black South African woman to be crowned Miss Universe. In 2022, she made her acting debut as Efe in The Woman King. Following her Miss Universe win, Tunzi started an eponymous foundation that focuses on enhancing the lives of women and children using educational tools. Speaking on philanthropy, she reveals: “People think you just do the social issues because you are Miss Universe or even Miss SA. Most women go into those platforms because that is what they want to do, so to be able to continue doing that work in my personal capacity is fulfilling.”
#18. Lalela Mswane
Age: 26
Profession: Model
Nationality: South African
Crowned Miss South Africa 2021 and the first Black woman to win Miss Supranational in 2022, Lalela Mswane surely knows how to work a crown for good. Mswane focuses on alleviating unemployment through financial education. Also known as the budgeting queen, she teaches the young generation money management skills bestowed on her by her parents and educational experiences.
#17. Waris Dirie
Age: 58
Profession: Social activist
Nationality: Somalian
Sometimes, our purpose is drawn from our deepest pain. This is the case with the Somalian model, Waris Dirie. Circumcised as an infant and raped at four, Dirie had a tough childhood. By 13, she was arranged to marry a 60-year-old before she fled. This painful background inspired Dirie’s The Desert Flower Foundation, a not-for-profit whose sole purpose is to eradicate female genital mutilation and create safe houses for survivors. In Sierra Leone, Dirie, her team, and supporters have created educational support for these young ladies, charting them toward a brighter future.
16. Bonang Matheba
Age: 36
Profession: Media Personality
Nationality: South African
Bonang Dorothy Matheba is considered one of the most famous South African media girls thanks to her years of experience and the global recognition that followed. Matheba is known for many firsts including being the first South African to host the MTV Europe Music Awards. Her love for education led her to start the Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, which is inspired by #FeesMustFall––a movement against the uncomfortable spike in school fees. Matheba also partners with the ONE Campaign to eradicate global poverty and give young girls equal opportunities to win in their careers.
#15. Gelila Bekele
Age: 37
Profession: Documentary filmmaker
Nationality: Ethiopian
Model, author, and filmmaker, Gelila Bekele is undoubtedly multi-talented. She is passionate about creating a paradigm shift in the mindset of her fellow Ethiopians to allow a conducive environment for young Ethiopian girls to thrive. She achieves this by leveraging media, including books and film. For instance, her book Guzo, which has also been made into a documentary, gives insight into Ethiopians, highlighting their cultural, social, and religious beliefs, even those that limit the female child. As one of the most beautiful African women whose life revolves around making society a better place, she is worthy of emulation and deserves her accolades.
#14. Bryoni Natalie Govender
Age: 27
Profession: Model
Nationality: South African
Bryoni Natalie Govender, the 2023 Miss Universe South Africa, is also a qualified LLB law graduate. Talk about beauty and brains! Born to South African-Indian parents, she’s passionate about helping curb the negative impact of colorism on Indian pageantry. The biased preference for light-skinned individuals has eaten deep into Indian society, and Govender is shedding light on this cancerous mental stronghold that has long given beauty a shallow connotation. Taking the bull by the horns in her quest to normalize dark skin on the screens and in pageantries, the beauty queen is involved in strategic collaborations that foster women’s empowerment. Govender actively trains women in leadership and skill development programs that travel beyond pageantry to different areas of these women’s lives.
#13. Osas Ighodaro
Age: 33
Profession: Actress
Nationality: Nigerian
No list of the most beautiful African women is complete without Nigerian-American actress, Osas Ighodaro. In 2010, she won the Miss Black USA Pageant, and since then, she hasn’t stepped on the brakes. Despite her busy schedule as a top Nollywood actress, Ighodaro is actively involved in the fight against malaria, which has plagued Nigeria and most parts of Africa. Her foundation, the Joyful Joy Foundation, was born after the actress lost her pregnant sister to the sickness with the dream of putting an end to preventable malaria-related deaths. She hosts the annual Laugh Fest event to raise funds for this cause.
#12. Imaan Hammam
Age: 27
Profession: Model
Nationality: Egyptian-Moroccan
Born in the Netherlands, but strongly connected to her roots as a Black woman, Imaan Hammam is one of the top models in the fashion industry. With multiple runway shows, fashion campaigns, and magazine spreads, the model is a force to reckon with. Inarguably one of the most beautiful African women with poise and a strap load of career achievements, Hamman is committed to women’s health, education, and equal rights. She received the first-ever Powerhouse of the Year Award in recognition of her hard work on advocacy and representation for young ladies of diverse backgrounds.
#11. Mo Abudu
Age: 59
Profession: Media Mogul
Nationality: Nigerian
Mosunmola Abudu has gone beyond being a Nigerian household media name to a highly recognized global media powerhouse. The Hollywood Reporter named her one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television, and Forbes featured her on the World’s 100 Most Powerful list for 2023. This speaks volumes about the international impact of her exploits. Abudu was drawn into the limelight through her daily talk show Moments with Mo, which had a groundbreaking influence on African television. She then launched a pan-African TV channel, EbonyLife TV, which has produced other significant offshoots like EbonyLife Films, EbonyLife Studios, and EbonyLife Place, merging them into one of Africa’s largest media conglomerates.
The Abudu & Associates Empowerment Fund is one of her numerous initiatives that provides economic aid and mentorship to young entrepreneurs.
#10. Jameela Uiras
Age: 23
Profession: Model
Nationality: Namibian
Crowned Miss Universe Namibia in 2023, Jameela Uiras is also a marketing strategist vocal about the importance of environmental protection and sustainability. The empathetic beauty queen doesn’t stop there, she partnered with other Miss Universe title holders in different countries and the world’s largest cleft charity, Smile Train, to raise awareness for children born with cleft palates. “I support the largest cleft organization in the world. Every few minutes a baby is born with a cleft. Untreated clefts can make it difficult for children to eat, breathe, hear, or communicate, but with treatment, they can thrive as every child deserves,” Urias said.
#9. Halima Aden
Age: 26
Profession: Model
Nationality: Somalian
Popular for her powerful statements, Halima Aden is a hijab-wearing model with strong convictions to back her beliefs. She carved a niche for herself as the first black hijab-wearing model to walk major runways, be the cover girl for major publications like Vogue, and be signed by prominent modeling agencies. Aden continues to blaze her trail, and although she faces her fair share of resistance, she continues to set beauty standards without compromising on personal values. She’s a beacon of hope and inspiration for young Muslim girls––a clear proof that career success and personal convictions aren’t mutually exclusive.
#8. Natasha Joubert
Age: 26
Profession: Model
Nationality: South African
Next on the list of the most beautiful women in Africa is beauty queen, Natasha Joubert. Interestingly, she has worn a crown three times in the last seven years––Miss Globe South Africa in 2016, Miss Universe South Africa in 2020, and Miss South Africa in 2023. Her philanthropic works might seem like a journey through a boulevard of obligatory office-imposed duties, but Joubert’s decision to focus on serving her country as Miss South Africa and declining further international connections during her reign portrays her dedication to the crown. Through the Natasha Joubert Collective, the model forges impactful partnerships that create educational opportunities for South African youths. Joubert has dedicated her time as queen to bridging the gap in education and entrepreneurship, and her partnership with her alma mater, Boston City Campus, is a primary driver for providing scholarships to young adults in the country.
#7. Hilda Baci
Age: 27
Profession: Chef
Nationality: Nigerian
Hilda Baci, also known as Hilda Bassey, once held the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking (Cook-a-thon) with 93 hours and 11 minutes. She made the record on May 15, 2023, garnering support from Nigeria and across the world. Since then, Baci has dedicated her time to teaching food video editing skills to upcoming content creators at an affordable price. She also empowers participants with sponsored gifts like cars and cash to encourage youths to put in the work when chasing their dreams. Recently, she began to use her image and skills to cater to widows and help them become self-sufficient.
#6. Aketch Joy Winnie
Age: 29
Profession: Model/Digital Influencer
Nationality: Ugandan
Aketch Joy Winnie is a box full of interesting content. The teacher-turned-model is dedicated to giving back to her society and staying in touch with her homeland. In 2018, at the age of 25, she had her major modeling break and has since worked with many brands, including Marc Jacobs and Gucci. Winnie and a friend collaborated to form a non-profit organization called Little Hands of Grace to raise funds and support disadvantaged families with education, food, clean water, clothing, and shelter.
#5. Tiwa Savage
Age: 43
Profession: Musician
Nationality: Nigerian
Popularly called the Queen of Afrobeats, Tiwatope Omolara Savage has done her part to put Afrobeats on the international charts and global scene. Savage started as a backup singer for artists like Mary J. Blige, and through consistency and hard work, she rose to be a formidable player on Africa’s vibrant music scene. In 2020, her Celia album was among Times Magazine’s Top 10 Best Albums of the Year. Savage offers breast cancer screening programs across Nigeria and is also developing a holistic music school. The school aims to cover the total well-being of young artists––from talent development to music therapy for their mental health. The singer-songwriter also fights gender-based violence through her foundation “We Are Tired.”
#4. Duckie Thot
Age: 28
Profession: Model
Nationality: South Sudanese-Australian
The first thing most individuals would notice about Nyadak Thot is her rich melanin skin. The model’s career skyrocketed after she met Kanye West and walked on his Yeezy Spring/Summer 2017 show. She has long since walked international runways and featured in campaigns for big fashion houses like Moschino, Fenty, and Victoria’s Secret. Thot has never slowed down on advocating for diversity and racial equality in fashion. With unrealistic beauty standards set over decades, the model uses her platform to redefine mainstream beauty, giving others broad and limitless perimeters of beauty.
#3. Sabrina Elba
Age: 34
Profession: Model
Nationality: Somalian
Model, UN Goodwill Ambassador and wife to popular actor Idris Elba, Sabrina Dhowre Elba is much more than a pretty face. Sabrina Elba collaborated with her husband to launch their gender-neutral skincare brand that helps to create awareness on how to care for melanated skin. Passionate about women’s empowerment and equality, Elba, who was appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador for the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in April 2020, has been using her influence to support rural women and girls. In addition to working with IFAD, she partners with several other civil society organizations on environmental issues and domestic violence.
#2. Thuso Mbedu
Age: 32
Profession: Actress
Nationality: South African
The Woman King star, Thuso Mbedu is a beauty worth admiring. As the first L’Oréal Paris Sub-Saharan Africa spokesperson, she has created a new frontier on the representation of melanin skin from an African scope. In addition, she has broken into Hollywood big screens, cast side-by-side with big names like Viola Davis. Beyond that, she consciously inspires the young African girl to chase her dreams and be intentional about her convictions. Mbedu recently celebrated with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) on its 15th anniversary, leading many to hope we will witness a partnership of this dynamic duo soon.
#1. Tems
Age: 28
Profession: Musician
Nationality: Nigerian
Since the release of Wizkid’s Grammy-Award-nominated single, “Essence,” the world hasn’t gotten enough of Tems’ soothing and unique Afrobeats sound. This opened wider doors, including a feature on Drake’s “Fountains,” Future’s “Wait for You,” and the 2022 Black Panther Wakanda soundtrack, “No Woman, No Cry.”
In February 2023, Tems, born Temilade Openiyi, earned her first Grammy award for her contribution to Future’s hit single ‘Wait For U’. Her vocals were sampled on the single that also features Canadian megastar rapper Drake. She is the first non-mixed Nigerian female musician to win the prestigious award under the ‘Best Melodic Rap performance’ category. The Grammy-winner also prides herself in being a talented songwriter, co-writing Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up.”
Embracing an effortless approach to creativity, Tems‘ easily defines true African beauty. Her rise to fame has been one for the books and she continues to inspire young Black women around the world to believe in the beauty of their dreams!
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