In the wake of the launch of the African Union (AU) campaign for global adoption of global maps that represent Africa’s true size, in the context of challenge to the dominance of traditional maps, and what that means for global perceptions, policy and identity, AU sought global shift to map showing Africa’s true size: this is a campaign to correct centuries-old distortions and restore Africa’s proper status internationally.
The Problem with Traditional Maps: Mercator’s Legacy
For decades, the commonly used world maps such as the Mercator projection product (1569), have consistently distorted the relative sizes of various continents. The projection was designed for navigation; therefore, it highly distorts areas near the poles to enlarge regions like North America and Greenland and significantly downsize continents like Africa and South America. The projection results in Africa, who is the 2nd largest continent in terms of area with 54 nations and over a billion people living on the continent, to be minimized when viewed on a global screen.
Selma Malika Haddadi, AU Commission deputy chairperson said, “it may just be a map, but it is not [just a map]”, adding that the Mercator projection reinforces stereotypes in terms of policy, education, and media and perpetuates outdated notions of Africa’s value.
The Campaign: ‘Correct the Map’ and Equal Earth Projection
The AU’s campaign builds on a number of advocacy groups such as Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, who pioneered the “Correct the Map” initiative that asks governments, organizations, and educators to switch to the Equal Earth projection, developed in 2018, which represents a notably better projection of true continental sizes and shapes.
Moky Makura, Executive Director of Africa No Filter argues that “The size and shape of the map of Africa is wrong, just wrong. It’s world’s longest misinformation or disinformation campaign, which is an untruth, and must stop,” pointing to the impact these distortions have had on global sentiments towards Africa for centuries.
Meanwhile, Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, points to the damaging effect of a distorted shape of Africa on a child’s psychological sense of pride and identity, “What happens when they see a distorted image—and they may only see it a couple of times in school—but that’s already the seeds of something. We’re working with [that] curriculum to make the Equal Earth projection the new standard across all African classrooms.” She envisions that international agencies will also adopt the Equal Earth projection.
AU’s Broad Vision: Reclaiming Africa’s Position
This shift in mapping aligns with the AU’s larger vision of “reclaiming Africa’s rightful space on the world stage” and existing calls for justice, including reparations for colonialism and enslavement. Haddadi affirmed the AU’s total support of the movement, noting as an important step in dismantling stereotypes, and allowing Africans to assert their identity and agency.
The AU will encourage broad uptake in member states, work with other regions such as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and explore collective approaches to address global institutions that are still reliant on distorted projections. Importantly, Dorbrene O’Marde of CARICOM’s Reparations Commission openly endorsed Equal Earth and rejected the Mercator’s “ideology of power and dominance”.
Progress To Date: Relocating Standards in Mapping
Change is in motion. Technology companies and international organizations are beginning to act:
- Technology Companies: Google Maps changed from Mercator views to a 3D globe view on desktop in 2018, but since mobile applications still use Mercator by default, this means many users are seeing distorted maps every day.
- International Organizations: The World Bank has been using Winkel-Tripel or Equal Earth projections for static maps and has been replacing Mercator with other options for web maps when able to.
- UN Agencies: The campaign has contacted and petitioned the United Nation’s geospatial committee (UN-GGIM). A formal review and approval process is taking place.
These incremental yet meaningful shifts show that there is growing consensus about projections that tell a better story for Africa.
Why Accurate Mapping is Important
Altering the world map is more than a symbol—it has important real-world effects:
- Education: Accurate mapping will allow for better appreciation of Africa’s realistic size, resources, and diversity – it will help instill pride in local youth and educate the world about Africa’s value.
- Policy, Inducements, and Aid: Global perceptions of Africa shape positive and negative diplomatic relations, aid distribution, and policy priorities. The world map often symbolizes a dismissive treatment of Africa, which could affect material neglect.
- Identity and Culture: If we can correct Africa’s real size in the world map, it will allow African identity to be understood in an appropriate context around the world. There is a chance to counter historical colonialist attitudes and misinformation.
The Road Ahead: AU’s Ongoing Advocacy
As the AU takes the lead in what it calls a movement, the message is clear: the time has come for a global mapping standard that is in line with reality, rather than inherited bias. The organization commits to continue to advocate in classrooms, international forums and online, for equal representation not only on maps, but in geopolitical, economic and cultural representations.
“The map is more than just lines—it is power, history, and the future,” Haddadi insists. The campaign’s developments will be eagerly observed by educators, politicians, and tech companies across continents.
