The government of Benin has launched a groundbreaking citizenship initiative aimed at reconnecting people of African descent with their ancestral homeland, marking a significant step in bridging historical divides created by the transatlantic slave trade.
For Isaline Attelly, a 28-year-old content creator from the Caribbean island of Martinique, the program represents a deeply personal homecoming. Attelly had been living in Benin for nearly a year when she uncovered genealogical records confirming that her maternal great-grandmother was born in present-day Benin before being forcibly trafficked across the Atlantic during the height of the slave trade.
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That discovery inspired her to apply for Beninese citizenship through the government’s newly launched “My Afro Origins” program.
“For me, it’s a source of pride. It feels like my journey has come full circle,” Attelly said following her naturalization ceremony. “I am proud and very happy to be able to represent my ancestors.”
The initiative forms part of President Patrice Talon’s broader vision to elevate Benin’s global profile by highlighting the country’s historic role in transatlantic slavery and positioning it as a cultural and heritage tourism destination. The program seeks to offer descendants of enslaved Africans a pathway to reclaim their roots while fostering stronger ties between Africa and its global diaspora.
As part of this effort, the government is unveiling major heritage projects across the country. These include a newly constructed “Door of No Return” monument in Ouidah, a key departure point during the slave trade, as well as a replica 18th-century slave ship featuring sculptures representing nearly 300 captives. Both attractions are currently under construction.
Plans are also underway to open an International Museum of Memory and Slavery later this year. The museum will be housed at the former residence of Francisco Félix de Souza, a prominent 18th and 19th-century slave trader, transforming a symbol of oppression into a site of education and remembrance.
To promote the initiative internationally, President Talon has enlisted prominent figures, including renowned filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, who were named cultural ambassadors to the African-American community.
“Our brothers and sisters in Benin are telling us: come home,” Spike Lee said in a previous interview. “Come back to the motherland, where your roots are.”
Global interest in the program surged in July 2025 when American R&B star Ciara became one of its first beneficiaries. She recently performed at a cultural festival in Ouidah, delivering a high-energy set that included her hit song “Level Up.” Her husband, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, also attended and expressed interest in applying for citizenship.
According to Benin’s Ministry of Justice, approximately 50 individuals have received citizenship since the program’s launch last year. Officials are currently processing thousands of applications, receiving roughly 100 new submissions each day.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, provide documentation or DNA evidence proving African ancestry, and must not already hold citizenship in another African country. The government says the vetting process ensures the program remains authentic and meaningful.
During a naturalization ceremony held December 27 in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city, Attelly and nine other successful applicants received their citizenship certificates, proudly posing beside the national flag.
Benin’s initiative mirrors similar efforts across the continent. Ghana, for instance, has granted citizenship to more than 600 members of the African diaspora since 2016.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has also endorsed a “right of return” for descendants of enslaved Africans as part of its reparations framework, though large-scale resettlement programs remain unrealized.
Despite these challenges, Benin’s government believes its program can serve as a powerful model for diaspora engagement.
“We believe Africa cannot develop without the strong involvement of its diaspora,” said Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari. “What we are looking for are people who recognize themselves as African and can prove their connection to this continent.”
As applications continue to pour in, the “My Afro Origins” program stands as a symbolic and practical bridge between past and present, offering descendants of enslaved Africans an opportunity to reclaim identity, heritage, and belonging.
