Benin’s role in the transatlantic slave trade is well-documented. Historians estimate that around 1.5 million people were forcibly deported from the Bight of Benin — encompassing parts of present-day Benin, Nigeria, and Togo — by European merchants, often with the cooperation of local kings. While some African nations have avoided reckoning with their past involvement, Benin has taken a more proactive approach. It hosted a global conference in the 1990s on slavery and, in 1999, former President Mathieu Kérékou issued a formal apology to African Americans during a visit to the U.S.

In recent years, Benin has leaned into “memorial tourism” as a way to promote healing and education. Historical sites in the coastal town of Ouidah, such as the Slave Route and the Door of No Return, serve as powerful reminders of the atrocities of slavery. According to Sindé Chekete, head of Benin’s tourism agency, these locations allow Afro-descendants to reconnect with their roots and honor the resilience of their ancestors. “It may inspire some people to say, ‘I want to return to Africa and choose Benin to understand this history,’” Chekete said.

Ciara, known for chart-topping songs like “Goodies” and “Level Up,” as well as her philanthropic efforts and fashion work, toured Ouidah following her citizenship ceremony. She walked the solemn Slave Route to the Door of No Return, describing the experience as “a profound return to what truly matters.” Her participation in Benin’s citizenship initiative is expected to raise global awareness of the country's efforts to reckon with its past and embrace a more inclusive future.