Born into a family of French and Beninese origins, Marie-Cécile Zinsou is a specialist in contemporary African art and created her eponymous foundation in Cotonou in 2005. An art and exhibition center for artists, the Fondation Zinsou also has a cultural, social and educational vocation. The enhancement of artistic heritage related to Africa, education, development and poverty reduction are at the heart of the project. In 2013, the Foundation opened the first museum of contemporary art in Africa in Ouidah, which hosts an annual selection of works from the Zinsou family collection. Marie-Cécile Zinsou is also committed to the restitution by France to their countries of origin of African artworks in French museums.