African Union backs campaign to fix world map distortions that shrink continent

The African Union has officially endorsed the "Correct The Map" campaign, joining a growing movement to replace the 16th-century Mercator projection with a more accurate world map that shows Africa's true size. The endorsement marks the first time the continental body has formally backed the campaign, which seeks to end centuries of cartographic distortion that portrays Africa as smaller than regions like Greenland, despite Africa being 15 times larger.semafor+2

AU Calls Map Distortions Misleading

"It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not," AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi told Reuters. She argued that the Mercator projection perpetuates false perceptions of Africa as "marginal," despite the continent being the world's second-largest by area with 54 nations and over one billion people.semafor+1

The Mercator projection, created by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator in 1569 for maritime navigation, significantly enlarges areas near the poles while shrinking equatorial regions. This makes Greenland's 2.16 million square kilometers appear nearly the same size as Africa's 30.37 million square kilometers.financialafrik+2

Campaign Promotes Equal Earth Alternative

The "Correct The Map" campaign, spearheaded by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, promotes the 2018 Equal Earth projection as a scientifically accurate alternative. "The current size of the map of Africa is wrong. It's the world's longest misinformation and disinformation campaign, and it just simply has to stop," said Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter.semafor+3

Campaign co-founder Fara Ndiaye of Speak Up Africa emphasized the psychological impact on African children exposed to distorted maps in schools. "We're actively working on promoting a curriculum where the Equal Earth projection will be the main standard across all [African] classrooms," she told Reuters.news.sky+1

Global Institutions Begin Adopting Changes

The AU's endorsement comes as some major institutions are already shifting away from Mercator. The World Bank uses Equal Earth for static maps and is phasing out Mercator on web platforms, while Google Maps switched to a 3D globe view on desktop in 2018, though mobile applications still default to Mercator.semafor+2

Haddadi said the AU will advocate for broader adoption among its 55 member states and coordinate collective action, aligning with the union's broader goal of "reclaiming Africa's rightful place on the global stage" amid growing calls for colonial reparations.caliber+2