Two young Rwandans, Sandrine Umutoni and Deborah Niheza have been shortlisted for the semi-finals of Miss Eloquent Africa 2021.

Miss Eloquent Africa is a non-governmental organisation that is on a mission to empower young African women using pageantry as a tool to promote African culture and unite Africans.

The beauty pageant’s primary aim is to change the perception of how people see the girl child to one with values and morals.

It brings together contestants from all African countries, and the two Rwandan ladies are vying against forty-three other candidates.

"We are in the last phase of the contest, so we humbly request for the support of Rwandans during this online voting,” commented Umutoni, one of the contestants.

"Rwandan culture is special in Africa and a Rwandan lady is a good example of how an African girl should look like, so casting a vote for us is of profoundly great honor not only to us, but to the nation,” added the 22-year-old.

The crown winner, during the finals in September 2021, will go home with a $2,000 cash prize and $1,000 for the first runner up. The final round will take place in Lagos, Nigeria.

Last year, Sierra Leonean Pamela Manuel was crowned the winner.