13 things about Miss Universe Rwanda 2025 Solange Keita

Solange Tuyishime Keita represented Canada in the 26th edition of Mrs. World and will present Rwanda in the 74th edition of Miss Universe. She is the founder of Naylah’s Legacy, a charitable initiative dedicated to saving the lives of mothers and newborns by supporting critical healthcare efforts locally and globally, and Elevate International, an organization advancing women’s leadership across sectors.

BIOGRAPHY

Keita is a Rwandan-Canadian humanitarian, international speaker and beauty queen born in East Africa and raised in Canada. She is the first beauty queen to represent Rwanda in Miss Universe.

On June 5, 2025, Keita turned 42. She is a mother of four.

Before moving to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Keita was a refugee embraced by different countries including Congo, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. In 1998, she begged her parents to sign a permission form so she could get her first job, which was at McDonald’s.
2. From 2001 to 2005, she attended St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
3. From 2006 to 2008, she attended the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick where she earned a master’s degree in public administration.
4. She is Miss Canada International 2006, Miss Galaxy Canada 2011 and Mrs. World Canada 2021.
5. She worked at the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) as a member of its departmental audit committee from 2008 to 2018, an executive programs advisor from 2009 to 2010, the communications team leader from 2011 to 2013 and an evaluation officer in 2011.
6. In 2009, she joined the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as an ambassador.
7. From 2011 to 2013, she was a member of the youth advisory group of the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
8. She founded Naylah’s Legacy in 2014 and Elevate International in 2017.
9. From 2021 to 2024, she reigned as Mrs. Canada World.
10. From 2022 to 2024, she was a member of the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Ottawa.
11. She was Mrs. World 2023 first runner-up and a Miss Universe Canada 2025 semifinalist.
12. She is Miss Universe Rwanda 2025.
13. She was a Miss Universe 2025 semifinalist.

TIMELINE

Keita can learn a new language in under three months. She is fluent in French, English, Kinyarwanda and Swahili.

2000s

• In September 2008, she joined the departmental audit committee of ISED.
• In January 2009, she became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
• In October 2009, she became an ISED executive programs advisor.

2010s

• In May 2011, she became an ISED communications team leader and joined the Canadian Commission for the UNESCO.
• From May 2011 to November 2011, she was an ISED evaluation officer.
• In May 2013, she left the Canadian Commission for the UNESCO.
• In February 2014, she launched Naylah’s Legacy.
• In August 2017, she launched Elevate International.
• In November 2018, she left ISED.

2020s

• In May 2022, she joined the AFP’s board of directors in Ottawa.
• On January 21, 2024, she represented Canada at Mrs. World 2023 and competed against 37 other candidates at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Winchester, Nevada, United States. She was runner-up to Dr. Julia Schnelle of Germany.
• In December 2024, she left AFP.
• On August 9, 2025, she represented Ottawa at Miss Universe Canada 2025 and competed against 71 other candidates at the St. Clair College Chrysler Theatre in Windsor, Ontario. She finished in the Top 26.
• On October 8, 2025, she was appointed Miss Universe Rwanda 2025.
• On November 21, 2025, she represented Rwanda at Miss Universe 2025 and competed against 119 other candidates at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, Thailand. She finished in the Top 30.