Miss World Somalia 2025, Zai Jama, continues to elevate her voice on the global stage, this time as a featured speaker at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit 2026, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The summit, now in its 11th edition, gathers some of Africa’s most influential female leaders across business, technology, culture, and social impact. Under the theme “The Voice, Vision and Victories of Her Africa,” the 2026 edition celebrates women shaping the continent’s future through leadership and innovation. 

Among a powerful lineup of speakers, Zai Jama stood out as a voice of youth leadership and advocacy, combining her role as Miss World Somalia with her work through the Female Initiative Foundation.  

Her presence at the summit marks the visibility of Somali women on international platforms.

“Standing on the Forbes stage was a manifestation of every dream I once whispered to myself.”

Zai reflected on her journey from observer to speaker, emphasizing representation and resilience:

“As one of the few Somali women to stand in that spotlight, and the first Miss Somalia to do so, I know this moment is bigger than me. It’s about rewriting what’s possible for my people.”

Her participation comes after her achievement at the 72nd Miss World Festival, where she placed among the Top 40 globally and reached the Top 10 in Africa, after delivering a powerful and courageous speech during the Head to Head Challenge, when she spoke openly about being a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), a sensitive and often silenced issue.