On the 26^th of November 2022, Kigali Rwanda hosted the maiden edition of Africa’s prestigious modeling competition – Africa’s Next Super Model.

Africa’s Next Super Model is Africa’s prestigious modeling competition reality show dedicated to scouting Africa’s finest talent in the modeling industry, molding raw talents into world-class professional supermodels.

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Africa’s Next Super Model (ANSM) was conceptualized from Nigeria’s Next Super Model (NNSM) by the founder of ISIS Models – Joan Okorodudu who has been producing the show for the past 15 years. The NNSM show has been successfully used to groom models from scouting all the way to the international platforms resulting in several black models representing Africa on the world map. The winners of NNSM have been gifted with brand new cars annually until 3 years ago when it changed to cash prizes, plus other consolation prizes such as modeling contracts, all-expense paid trips to the US, UK, Paris, Milan, South Africa, and other countries where they are established as professional models.

The maiden edition of Africa’s Next Super Model was a huge success, hosting several high-profile personalities in Rwanda as well as those who traveled in from various countries.

The competition kicked off with over 35 contestants moving into camp on the first day of camp at Elizabeth Golf Apartments from other African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, South Sudan, Senegal, Cape Verde, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Togo, and Ethiopia, and trained by the catwalk instructor Larry Walker from Nigeria. A screening was conducted after 3 days in camp, shortlisting the contestants to 15 (NYARIEK, AYEN DHEL, BRENA, BASETSANA, NAUME, GLORIA, AKOI, ELIZABETH YAR, AJIBIKE, UKEME, LINDA, MEKLIT, MARVELLA, DENISE, and LILIAN)

On the day of the grand finale, the exhibition ground was opened at 3 pm with beautiful crafts from Runway to Redemption (which is also an organization empowering refugees from the Kakuma Refugee Camp) and at around 4:00 pm the doors were already opened and DJ Sonia was on the mix giving some nice music vibes when the runway started at around 5:30 pm with catwalks showcasing amazing designers from the best of Africa’s designers consisting of the Quiteria Atelier brand presented by his brother Vincent Kekana from South Africa, Joseph Ejiro from Nigeria, Jamey Bryan Kimani from Kenya, Inkanda House from Rwanda, and T’Beyond Design from Rwanda.

The panel of judges for the event was made up of 15 International top agencies, casting directors, and CEOs in the modeling industry, led by the CEO of Select Model Global, Fusion Models NYC, UNO Spain, Wave Milan, MIRRRS, 28 Models New York, Webest Models, One Management, and a number of others.  

The Africa’s Next Super Model theme song was produced by Kuttie featuring David. The event was made lively by the music performances of David Elumelu from Nigeria.

Matteo, the CEO of Select Model commented that “it is going to be a tough selection considering the fact that all the contestants are awesome”.

The Winners

The top 5 contestants for the event are

1. MARVELLA
2. AKOI
3. AJIBIKE
4. FAVOUR
5. DENISE

2^ND RUNNER UP

• AJIBIKE

AJIBIKE – 2ND RUNNER UP

1^ST RUNNER UP

AKOI – FIRST RUNNER UP

WINNER

• MARVELLA

WINNER – MARVELLA

In a commentary, the winner Marvella Niteka commented that she had her confidence up before joining, but after joining the competition she realized everyone was good and she doubted winning the competition.

“But I kept the courage and worked hard, the practices were really extreme and tiresome but I kept pushing hoping for better,” she said

Niteka said that the teams have been very supportive and she is grateful, and this gives her more courage to run for Miss University Burundi to take the flag as far as she can. She added that she is excited to see the investment she made paid back, adding that this marks her beginning. She said that being part of the stories and journeys of these young models makes her feel that she is doing the right thing, adding that she wants to see them take Africa to the world.

Matteo, CEO of Select Model added that the winner deserved it, saying they consider a model who has the potential to work with very many, and big designers.

The event was streamed live to hundreds of viewers on various platforms by Yonwuren Media.

The official makeup company for the event is Helaz Beauty from Ethiopia.

The Media partners for the event include Hypeville, Avant Garde International Magazine, Rwanda Updates, Vogue Inspire Magazine, Africa Insider, AJU Blog, and YonwurenMedia.

The winner won the grand prize of $5000 and is presented by the event’s longtime partner – Studio 24 Nigeria.