While many countries view the introduction of entry visas as a means of generating revenue and see visa exemptions as a potential economic loss, Benin appears to take a different approach.

“There is the option of focusing on the short-term and saying, ‘we’re collecting small visa fees right now,’ and then there’s the long-term vision, which asks: do we want to build a dynamic, integrated Africa? There is a lot of ongoing discussion around Pan-Africanism, so why must any African living in Africa have to pay to visit another African country? Here in Benin, under the leadership of President Patrice Talon, we believe that should not be the case. We believe Africans should feel at home everywhere on the continent, most especially so, in Benin,” said Adjadi Bakari.

As for the initiative to grant Beninese nationality to Afro-descendants, the launch of a website to digitalise the application process has been announced. The agencies responsible for its implementation are already operational and teams are actively at work, according to the Beninese minister.

“Our brothers and sisters from the Afro-descendant diaspora who wish to pursue this path will be able to do so in an optimal digital and dematerialised manner. Naturally, there will still be the possibility, and the necessity at some given point, to liaise directly  with Beninese civil registry officers,” he explained.

The head of Benin’s diplomatic service describes this vision as a tangible expression of “pan-Africanism in action, not just rhetoric or political posturing.”

“Our dream is that, in the future, young Africans will no longer need to apply for visas because they will have the freedom to travel across the African continent. That is true pan-Africanism. Likewise, we view pan-Africanism as the opportunity for our brothers and sisters in the diaspora, who deeply identify as Africans, to return and become part of this community. That is what practical, realistic pan-Africanism means for us today,” said the Beninese minister.

The day after the minister’s interview was broadcast, on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, the Beninese government announced plans to build a Centre for Identification, Immigration, Migration and Elections (CIIEEL) in Cotonou. This major infrastructure project will house the headquarters of several key public institutions namely the National Autonomous Electoral Commission (CENA), the National Agency for the Identification of Persons (ANIP), the Department of Emigration and Immigration (DEI) and the Department of Consular Affairs and Beninese Abroad (DACBE).

Expectations in planned review

Non-governmental organisations are urging that the review of Benin’s national migration law include a comprehensive analysis of existing legislation, particularly the 1986 Alien Status Act and the 2022 Refugee and Stateless Persons Act. The review should assess the extent to which these laws align with Benin’s international obligations and the current dynamics of migration. The ultimate goal is to identify legal gaps and areas for improvement, ensuring a more coherent, humane and effective approach to migration management.

While legal frameworks exist, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Committee on the Rights of Migrant Workers have both highlighted the absence of a clear and comprehensive national migration policy in Benin. Consequently, the upcoming review should include recommendations for the development of a cohesive policy that integrates existing legislation and addresses the multifaceted nature of migration, including issues related to employment, family reunification and protection.

Key areas of focus in the review include:

  • Protecting migrant workers, including those with irregular status, to ensure their access to minimum wage, social security, healthcare and emergency services;
  • Registering children of migrants to ensure that all children of migrant workers born in Benin can acquire Beninese nationality; 
  • Coordinating institutions through appropriate legal frameworks to improve governance and the implementation of migration policies; 
  • Aligning national migration laws with international standards on human rights and migration management. 

The review also places strong emphasis on combating irregular migration, which is on the rise in Benin, while simultaneously addressing its root causes and socio-economic consequences.