Zambia has withdrawn its representative, Pamela Mubanga, from the 75th edition of the Miss Universe pageant following United States travel restrictions affecting nationals of the southern African country.
Mubanga, 25, a registered nurse, was crowned Miss Universe Zambia on October 8 and was expected to represent her country at the international competition scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico on November 24.
However, the Miss Universe Zambia organisation announced her withdrawal, attributing the development to US presidential travel restrictions rather than personal circumstances, documentation problems or organisational challenges.
In a statement, the organisation explained that Mubanga’s situation was directly connected to restrictions imposed by the US government on Zambia and several other African countries.
It said five additional African countries were experiencing similar difficulties, although their identities were not disclosed.
The development has raised concerns about the participation of other African contestants, particularly Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Roseanna Hall, who is also struggling to secure the necessary travel authorisation.
Hall disclosed in a video shared on Instagram that she had spent several weeks in South Africa making repeated attempts to obtain a US visa.
She expressed disappointment that she had reached her scheduled departure date for Puerto Rico without receiving the required travel approval.
Hall also acknowledged that she was not alone, noting that other African contestants were experiencing similar difficulties.
Meanwhile, the representative of South Sudan has also expressed uncertainty about her participation, describing her chances of making it to the competition as 50-50 in a comment on Hall’s Instagram video.
The visa challenges are linked to US Presidential Proclamation 10998, which introduced partial travel restrictions affecting 19 countries and took effect on January 1, 2026.
The measures suspend the issuance of certain visitor, student, exchange and immigrant visas to nationals of affected countries, while placing restrictions on other categories of non-immigrant visas.
The restrictions have created additional complications for contestants expected to participate in the international beauty competition, with several delegates already arriving in Puerto Rico for registration, fittings and other pre-pageant activities.
The 75th Miss Universe competition is scheduled to hold at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the next international beauty queen will be crowned on November 24.
Zambia’s withdrawal has consequently drawn attention to the wider impact of international travel policies on cultural exchange, international representation and opportunities for African contestants to compete on the global stage.
