Cotonou, July 4, 2025 – The Government of the Republic of Benin today announced the official launch of the digital platform www.myafroorigins.bj, an exclusive portal dedicated to receiving applications for recognition of Beninese nationality for people of African descent. This concrete step forward is part of the implementation of Law No. 2024-31 of September 2, 2024, relating to the recognition of Beninese nationality for people of African descent, a founding text that, for the first time in the country’s legal history, enshrines the right of return and citizenship for the descendants of sub-Saharan Africans deported from the African continent during the slave trade and the triangular trade.
Benin enshrines in law the right of return of Afro-descendants
This initiative reflects the country’s desire to assume its historical responsibility, to re-establish ties with its children scattered throughout the world, and to make its territory a land of welcome, memory and the future.
A multilingual, accessible and secure interface
Accessible at www.myafroorigins.bj , the platform offers each applicant a fully digital, multilingual (French, English, Portuguese, Spanish) process that complies with international standards for the protection of personal data. It allows you to obtain information, compile your file, pay the processing fee of USD 100 and track the progress of the procedure via a personal account.
Once the application is duly completed and compliant, the certificate of eligibility for Beninese nationality by recognition is issued after review and a favorable decision. This document, issued by the Beninese administration, constitutes a key first step toward obtaining nationality and registration in the national register of natural persons.
The Beninese Government invites all interested persons to consult the platform to learn about the eligibility conditions, the required documents and the application review process.
According to Mr. Yvon DETCHENOU, Keeper of the Seals, Minister of Justice and Legislation: “This measure gives substance to a law of justice and recognition. By opening the path to Beninese nationality to people of African descent, we are honoring a fundamental principle: that of the right of return.”
About the myafroorigins.bj platform:
My Afro Origins.bj is the official digital platform established by the Government of the Republic of Benin to allow people of African descent to apply for Beninese nationality. Accessible at www.myafroorigins.bj, this multilingual, secure, and entirely digital interface is the only portal dedicated to this process.
More information on: www.myafroorigins.bj
Press contacts:
- Ministry of Justice and Legislation
- Name: Cyrille ZOUHON
- Email: support.adan@gouv.bj