The Miss Universe 2011 is heating up! With the finale just around the corner on the 12th of September 2011 in São Paulo Brazil, the beauty queens from all around the world have just a few days left to make their mark.

The National costume segment is always really interesting to watch! Check out our 8 African beauty queens (6 beauty queens from Sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Angola, South Africa and Botswana), 1 beauty queen from North Africa (Egypt) and 1 beauty queen from the island of Mauritius) in their various costumes.

Miss Egypt's costume is our fave – WOW! Miss Tanzania's is definitely buzzworthy as well. Sophie Gemal also stood out and has definitely represented Nigeria well at the pageant.

Based on analyst predictions, Miss Angola has consistently been rated as the top African contestant this year. Do you agree?

Sophie Gemal in Brazil

Leila Lopes
Country: Angola
Hometown: Benguela
Age: 25

Larona Motlatsi Kgabo
Country: Botswana
Hometown: Gaborone
Age: 25

Erica Nego
Country: Ghana
Hometown: Accra
Age: 26

Laetitia Darche
Country: Mauritius
Hometown: Flic en Flac
Age: 20

Bokang Montjane
Country: South Africa
Hometown: Johannesburg
Age: 25

Nelly Kamwelu
Country: Tanzania
Hometown: Dar Es Salaam
Age: 19

Sara El Khouly Country: Egypt Hometown: Alexandria Age: 23