A ceremony was held at the Cotonou Judicial Complex on October 24, 2026, where 53 Afro-descendants officially acquired Beninese citizenship through the My Afro Origins program. The program allows online applications for nationality. The event was attended by Florentin Gbodou, director of cabinet for the Minister of Justice and Legislation, and Jocelyn Flenon, director of cabinet for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The My Afro Origins program is part of a series of ceremonies that have been taking place since the beginning of the year. A similar event occurred on August 29, 2026, where ten Afro-descendants were honored at the Judicial Complex in the presence of Yvon Detchenou, the Minister of Justice. This program aims to reconnect Afro-descendants with their African heritage.
Judith Anglade, an Afro-descendant from Haiti now living in France, attended the ceremony. She mentioned that her journey to acquiring Beninese citizenship is a way to honor her adoptive father, Gilles Nago, who introduced her to Benin. Anglade expressed her emotional connection to the country, stating that it felt like home during her first visit in 2019.
Jean-Luc Vigne, another beneficiary, obtained his citizenship after discovering the program in August 2025. He submitted his application and received his citizenship confirmation in September 2026. Vigne expressed relief and happiness, stating that his "soul is at peace" after the ceremony.
The acquisition of Beninese citizenship opens up new opportunities for economic and cultural growth for the beneficiaries. Joël Diomr, from Haiti, plans to invest and create jobs for Beninese citizens. Christian Chery, from Martinique, also aims to settle in Benin and contribute his skills to the country.
The program not only grants citizenship but also provides support for beneficiaries to settle in Benin. Laurent Gangbès, coordinator of the one-stop shop dedicated to the program, explained that the structure centralizes necessary procedures for naturalization and passport acquisition. The goal is to facilitate the integration of Afro-descendants and encourage investment in the country.
For Béatrice Toni, a Franco-Beninese, receiving her citizenship was a way to connect with her ancestors and learn about the transatlantic slave trade. She described the citizenship document as a "sesame" and expressed gratitude to Benin for its warm welcome. Toni plans to encourage other family members to apply for citizenship.
Key points
- The My Afro Origins program has been facilitating the acquisition of Beninese citizenship for Afro-descendants since the beginning of the year.
- Beneficiaries of the program plan to invest and settle in Benin, contributing to the country's economic and cultural growth.
- The program provides support for beneficiaries to integrate into Beninese society and encourages investment in the country.
