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The African Union (AU) has thrown its support behind a growing global initiative to replace the centuries-old Mercator projection with a more accurate representation of the world, one that reflects Africa’s true size and scale.
The Mercator map, first introduced in the 16th century by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, was originally designed for maritime navigation. While effective for sea travel, its projection significantly distorts the relative sizes of continents. Regions closer to the poles, such as Greenland and North America, appear disproportionately larger, while Africa and South America are depicted much smaller than their actual landmass.
AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi explained that this is far from a trivial cartographic issue. “Maps shape perceptions,” she noted, warning that the distortion subtly reinforces a global narrative that Africa is less significant. In reality, Africa is the second-largest continent, home to 55 nations and more than 1.4 billion people, with vast natural resources and a growing geopolitical influence.
According to Haddadi, the continued use of the Mercator projection perpetuates outdated stereotypes and can unconsciously influence media narratives, educational materials, and policymaking.
This renewed push for change is part of the “Correct The Map” campaign, spearheaded by advocacy organisations Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa. The movement calls on governments, institutions, and international organisations to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, a mapping method specifically designed to more faithfully represent the relative size of landmasses.
Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter, stressed the importance of this shift:
“The way Africa is presented on maps today is simply wrong. This has been the world’s longest-running misinformation campaign, and it needs to end.”
Critics of the Mercator projection argue that inaccurate mapping does more than just misinform, it shapes mindsets. By consistently portraying Africa as smaller, it risks diminishing the continent’s perceived importance in global affairs. Campaigners believe that adopting accurate maps is a step toward restoring balance in how Africa is viewed and valued.
The AU’s endorsement signals a strong political backing for the initiative and adds momentum to a debate that is as much about equity and representation as it is about geography. With the Equal Earth projection gaining traction, advocates hope more institutions will align their maps with reality, ensuring Africa is finally shown as it truly is: vast, diverse, and central to the world’s future.