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American singer Ciara receives Benin citizenship after tracing ancestral roots

Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress Ciara Princess Wilson, mononymously known as Ciara, has taken a significant step in embracing her African heritage by obtaining Beninese citizenship, after tracing her ancestry to the West African country. Read more | WATCH | Ciara reveals her new baby boy On July 26, 2025, a day recognised globally as the United Nations Day for Women and Girls of African Descendent, Ciara received her certificate of citizenship in a symbolic ceremony attended by several Beninese government officials, including the Minister of Justice and Legislation, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts, and Minister of Foreign Affairs at the initiative of RollingStone Africa. Ciara's citizenship is part of a broader movement among Black Americans reconnecting with their African heritage, such as Ludacris, the Atlanta-based rapper and actor who obtained Gabonese citizenship in 2020 through his wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, who hails from Gabon. Steve Wonder, the legendary musician, was also granted Ghanaian citizenship in 2021 and many others. Tour agency Explore Benin, which assisted and documented Ciara's trip, posted about her journey to significant locations including Ouidah and Cotonou. Ouidah is home to the historic Slave Route trail and Door of No Return. 'Ciara walks the land of her ancestors for the first time,' the agency posted. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Explore Benin (@ 'I feel incredibly proud,' said the 39-year-old singer emotionally during her ceremony in a video she posted on her Instagram account. 'The significance of this moment is so special,' she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ciara (@ciara)