African descendants in the Americas who can trace their ancestry to the Republic of Benin are now eligible for the country’s citizenship.
This move is in acknowledging the nation’s complex legacy in the transatlantic slave trade and reconnecting descendants of enslaved Africans to their motherland. This new law represents a significant step toward healing the wounds inflicted by the slave trade, providing Afro-descendants an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage and strengthen ties to their ancestral homeland.
Descendants who can prove their sub-Saharan ancestry through civil documents, authenticated testimonies, or DNA tests will be eligible for citizenship. Initially granted citizenship by recognition, these individuals can transition to full nationality after five years of residency.
This initiative is part of Benin’s broader pan-Africanist policy, which has included the abolition of entry visas for African nationals since 2017. It aligns with the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent, highlighting the importance of addressing the historical impacts of the slave trade.
Benin’s move follows similar efforts in Ghana to reconnect with descendants of enslaved Africans and enhance cultural, social, and economic ties between Benin and the African diaspora.
