A selection of the week’s best photos from across the African continent and beyond:
Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA
On Saturday, the highly anticipated Miss Universe Nigeria competition is in full swing as contestants get ready backstage…
Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA
The competition is fierce as participants put their best foot forward to win the crown…
Benson Ibeabuchi / AFP
In an emotional end to the pageant, Chidimma Adetshina, the South African beauty queen who faced xenophobic abuse wins the title
EPA
On Tuesday, a former circus animal, named Charley, roams around their new retirement home on a South African game reserve in Limpopo after years of performing.
Andres Martinez Casares / Reuters
The next day, children hold the flags of Chinese and African countries to welcome the continent’s leaders at a banquet in the capital Beijing…
VCG / Getty Images
It was all part of the entertainment for those attending the China-Africa summit.
Franck Fife / AFP
On Saturday, Namibia’s Lahja Ishitile crumbles to the floor with her guide Sem Shimanda after winning the Women’s 400m final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Abubaker Lubowa/ Reuters
A Ugandan police officer detains a woman on Monday taking part in a “naked protest” against corruption outside parliament in the capital, Kampala.
Emmanuel Croset / AFP
On the same day, members of a royal regiment in Eswatini – Africa’s last absolute monarchy – are seen on the last day of a cultural festival at the Ludzidzini Royal Palace.
AFP
And on Wednesday on a street in Gadaref in Sudan, a Sufi man performs a traditional dance during a Muslim festival to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammed.
Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA
Emmanuel Adegboye / EPA
Benson Ibeabuchi / AFP 
EPA
Andres Martinez Casares / Reuters
VCG / Getty Images
Franck Fife / AFP
Abubaker Lubowa/ Reuters
Emmanuel Croset / AFP
AFP
Getty Images/BBC