Ciara received Beninese citizenship during an official ceremony in Cotonou as part of a national effort to reconnect with descendants of the African diaspora.
Ciara became the inaugural recipient of Beninese nationality under a 2024 law that allows Afro-descendants to reclaim citizenship based on ancestral ties. The event was attended by high-ranking ministers from the departments of Justice, Tourism, Culture and Foreign Affairs. It was part of a broader initiative launched by the Beninese government to honour and welcome people of African descent tracing their lineage back to the region. Before the ceremony, Ciara visited several cultural and historical landmarks, including Ouidah, the Slave Route and the Gate of No Return—sites that hold deep significance in the transatlantic slave trade. Her trip was both educational and emotional, as she immersed herself in the country’s history and heritage.
The citizenship recognition is part of Ciara’s ongoing exploration into her ancestry, which revealed roots in Benin. Her journey places her among a growing list of African American public figures who have reclaimed African citizenship as a means to reconnect with their heritage.