Benin is stepping up efforts to attract visitors of African descent by combining heritage tourism, diaspora citizenship initiatives and international engagement, positioning itself as an emerging competitor to Ghana in the race to reconnect the African diaspora with the continent.
The country’s latest move is its selection to host the 2027 Black Travel Summit in Cotonou, making it the first African country to host the international event, according to a report published by The Hawk Newspaper on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
The summit brings together travel professionals, entrepreneurs, content creators and cultural advocates to explore business opportunities, tourism development and stronger connections between Africa and its diaspora communities.
Benin’s hosting opportunity comes as Ghana continues to build on the international recognition it gained through its Year of Return campaign, launched in 2019, and the subsequent Beyond the Return initiative.
The Year of Return encouraged people of African descent to visit Ghana, reconnect with their ancestral roots and explore historical sites associated with the transatlantic slave trade. Beyond the Return sought to sustain those connections through investment, business partnerships and cultural exchanges.
However, Benin is increasingly seeking to attract the same audience by promoting its own historical links to the slave trade and developing programmes aimed at strengthening relationships with the diaspora.
Citizenship initiative complements tourism drive
Beyond hosting international events, Benin has introduced a legal pathway through which descendants of Africans deported during the transatlantic slave trade can seek Beninese nationality.
The initiative is linked to a law adopted in September 2024 to establish a framework for granting citizenship to eligible members of the diaspora who can demonstrate qualifying ancestral connections.
According to the newspaper report, three people—Wilson Ciara Princess, Joseph Gabendy and Esmeralda David Romuald—were officially recognised in July 2025. French broadcaster Claudy Siar was also reported to have received Beninese nationality in Ouidah, a historic coastal town associated with the slave trade, in May 2026.
The programme has nevertheless attracted questions about accessibility and eligibility.
The report cited a commentary indicating that nearly 2,000 people had expressed interest in the citizenship initiative, but only about 150 were said to have qualified. Concerns were also raised about application fees and administrative expenses that could make the process more accessible to wealthier applicants.
Benin has also pursued measures to simplify the process, including the reported removal of DNA testing as a requirement for applicants seeking recognition of their ancestry.
In addition, the country has established Benin Influence, an organisation intended to promote its image internationally and strengthen engagement with diaspora communities.
These measures could complement the Black Travel Summit by connecting Benin with travel businesses, cultural organisations and prospective visitors interested in establishing lasting relationships with the country.
Ghana faces pressure to sustain its advantage
Ghana retains an established position in diaspora tourism following years of promotion through the Year of Return and Beyond the Return programmes.
Those initiatives helped raise the country’s international profile and encouraged diaspora visitors to explore its forts, castles, cultural festivals and other heritage attractions.
However, Benin’s expanding strategy highlights the need for Ghana to maintain investment in tourism infrastructure, heritage preservation, visitor experiences and international marketing.
The growing competition also presents an opportunity for African countries to improve their tourism offerings and develop stronger cultural and economic relationships with people of African descent.
For Ghana, the challenge will be to build on the recognition already achieved and continue providing compelling reasons for diaspora travellers to choose the country as a destination for reconnecting with their roots.
Benin’s hosting of the 2027 Black Travel Summit could mark an important step in that competition, bringing greater international attention to its heritage and potentially encouraging more diaspora visitors to explore destinations beyond Ghana.
