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More Afro‑descendants are returning to Benin. The My Afro Origins programme is driving the shift. It helps people of African ancestry trace their roots. It also offers a path to Beninese citizenship.
The programme has helped more than 50 people return. It reconnects families with histories disrupted by the slave trade. It also strengthens ties between Benin and the global diaspora.
The project uses a digital platform. It helps people verify ancestry and complete applications. It also supports cultural and historical education. The government plans to open a Museum of Memory and Slavery this year. It will be built at the historic home of Francisco Felix de Souza.
Benin’s approach is similar to Ghana’s Year of Return. But it focuses strongly on sites like Ouidah. These places played a major role in the trans‑Atlantic slave trade.
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee are ambassadors for the programme. Their support has boosted visibility in the United States. American singer Ciara has already received citizenship. Her husband, Russell Wilson, plans to apply.
Applicants must be at least 18. They must also prove ancestry through documents or DNA. They cannot already hold citizenship in another African country. Interest in the programme continues to grow.
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