My Afro Origins: over 130 Afro-descendants have regained Beninese nationality

With Law No. 2024-31 of 2 September 2024, Benin enshrined a right of return and citizenship for descendants of sub-Saharan Africans deported during the transatlantic slave trade. The law was amended in 2025 (Law No. 2025-11).

Eligibility

• be at least 18 years old;
• be a national of a non-African country or territory;
• establish a deported sub-Saharan ancestor (civil records, authenticated testimony, DNA test from a recognised body, or descent from a person already recognised).

Procedure

1. Create an account on myafroorigins.bj (English, French, Portuguese, Spanish).
2. Submit your file (birth certificate and criminal record less than three months old, proof of ancestry, etc.), apostilled or legalised and translated into French.
3. Pay the USD 100 processing fee.
4. Track your application online until the official ceremony.

Successful applicants receive a certificate of eligibility, valid for three years, which grants among other things the right to reside in Benin and obtain a Beninese passport.

Results so far

Between July 2025 and August 2026, more than 130 certificates were presented over seven ceremonies, including to singer Ciara (July 2025) and saxophonist Godwin Louis (July 2026).

The post can help with the legalisation of documents. Read also History of Benin and our article on tourism in Ouidah.

Sources

• SGG — Law No. 2024-31
• Government of Benin — Ceremony of 29 August 2026
• Banouto — 28 Afro-descendants