Benin welcomes diaspora
Benin is opening its doors to the African diaspora through a new citizenship program that blends history, identity, and cultural diplomacy. The “My Afro Origins” initiative allows people of African descent to reclaim formal ties to the country, often through genealogy or DNA, reconnecting families separated by the transatlantic slave trade. The effort is part of President Patrice Talon’s broader push to spotlight Benin’s historical role in slavery while strengthening links with the diaspora. High-profile ambassadors like filmmaker Spike Lee have helped amplify the message, while artists such as Ciara have already taken up citizenship. Though still small in scale, the program signals a symbolic “right of return” and a renewed effort to bridge Africa and its global descendants.
CNBC Africa