African Union Pushes to Scrap ‘Distorted’ World Map That Shrinks Africa
The African Union is joining the campaign to replace the centuries-old Mercator map projection, saying it’s misleading the world about Africa’s size and importance.
The 16th-century Mercator projection, created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation, is infamous for exaggerating the scale of areas near the poles – like North America and Greenland – while compressing Africa and South America.
Speaking to Reuters, AU Commission deputy chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi said maps are not just harmless illustrations. “The Mercator gives a false impression that Africa is marginal,” she said, despite the continent being the second largest in the world, with 54 countries and over a billion people. She said such distortions feed harmful stereotypes, education, media narratives and even policy making.
Reclaiming Africa’s True Size
The AU’s stance is part of the “Correct The Map” campaign led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa. The initiative is asking institutions to adopt the Equal Earth projection, introduced in 2018, which better represents the actual proportions of the world’s continents.
Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, called the Mercator’s portrayal of Africa “the longest running misinformation campaign in history” and said it’s time for change.
Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, said early exposure to distorted maps can undermine young Africans’ sense of pride and identity. She said they plan to make the Equal Earth projection the standard in African classrooms and are urging global institutions – especially those operating in Africa – to follow suit.
Haddadi said the AU will promote the shift across member states and frame it as part of a broader mission to “reclaim Africa’s rightful place on the global stage” alongside demands for reparations for slavery and colonialism.
Global Shift Away from Mercator
Although the Mercator projection is still used in schools and digital platforms, some companies have already moved away from it. Google Maps for instance switched its desktop version to a 3D globe in 2018, though the mobile app still defaults to Mercator.
The “Correct The Map” campaign is also pressuring major global organisations like the World Bank and the United Nations to adopt Equal Earth.
A World Bank representative said they already use more accurate projections for static maps and are phasing out Mercator on web platforms.CARICOM Reparations Commission vice chair Dorbrene O’Marde also supports the change. “Mercator is an ideology, power and dominance.”
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African Union Pushes to Scrap ‘Distorted’ World Map That Shrinks Africa