In Africa, cultural goods and heritage objects play a crucial role in passing down stories and traditions to children, serving as the only undeniable evidence of a rich and ancient past that helps new generations form their identities. On Monday, October 5, the President of the Republic of Benin, Romuald Wadagni, asked his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, to return 35 cultural items and historical documents that had been taken from Benin during its colonial period. This request was made during the official visit of the Beninese president to France. This restitution follows a historic event on November 10, 2021, when 26 works were returned under the presidency of his predecessor, Patrice Talon. This movement of returning looted treasures to Africa is not an isolated case. It is part of a broader continental effort, with several African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, successfully reclaiming cultural items after making formal requests. In France, Law No. 2026-351 of May 9, 2026, has simplified the process of repatriating cultural goods by removing administrative barriers, making it unnecessary to pass specific laws for each case. Among the 35 cultural items being returned, Kataklè stands out as an emblematic piece. The set includes the ceremonial throne of the sovereign Toffa, a significant artifact from Porto-Novo, and the sculpted effigy of Gou, a famous symbol of metallurgy and combat from the former kingdom of Dahomey. Other notable pieces are the divination plate of Guèdègbé, a liturgical instrument of great importance associated with the supreme guide of geomancy, Fâ, and the doors of the palace of Kétou, remarkable carved wooden panels from the same region. The 26 works returned in 2021, which are part of the royal treasure of Abomey, have now been fully integrated into Benin's national cultural heritage, protected by legal measures that ensure they cannot be sold or seized. After an acclimatization period, they were unveiled to the public in Cotonou during the exhibition Art of Benin Yesterday and Today: From Restitution to Revelation, which opened in March 2022 at the Marina Palace. The royal pieces are now being prepared to be displayed permanently in the Museum of the Kings and Amazons of Danxomè (MuRAD) in Abomey. However, delays in the construction of this museum have caused criticism in 2024. The situation changed in May 2025 with the recovery of Kataklè, a historical royal seat previously held in Finland. Benin authorities announced that this piece would join the other 26, and the entire set of 27 sacred treasures would be displayed together in MuRAD. Ahead of the historical return of these treasures, the Beninese government has launched an ambitious cultural policy, accelerating six major museum projects across the country. These projects aim to modernize national infrastructure and provide exceptional spaces for the country's heritage, whether historical, memorial, or contemporary. In Abomey, the construction of MuRAD and the restoration of the royal palace complex are key elements of this initiative. In Nikki, the modernization of its palace and the creation of a dedicated museum space are also underway. In Ouidah, the restoration of the Portuguese Fort and the development of the International Museum of Memory and Slavery (MIME) are part of a broader reconstruction effort. In Porto-Novo, the project for the International Vodun Museum, along with the renovation of the Alexandre Sènou Adandé Ethnographic Museum and the Honmè Museum, highlights the city's cultural significance. Cotonou, meanwhile, is planning a major contemporary art museum, completing the country's cultural network.