The African Union (AU) has launched a strong campaign urging countries, schools, and international organizations to replace the outdated Mercator projection with the Equal Earth map, which accurately represents Africa’s true size. The Mercator map, created in 1569 for navigation purposes, enlarges regions near the poles and shrinks those near the equator, misleadingly portraying Greenland as almost the same size as Africa—despite Africa being nearly 14 times larger. The AU argues that this distortion has contributed to widespread underestimation of Africa’s geographical, economic, and cultural importance, affecting education, policymaking, and public perception globally. By adopting a more accurate representation, the AU hopes to ensure Africa’s true scale and influence are visible to the world.
Advocacy groups such as Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa highlight that the Mercator projection reinforces colonial-era biases and perpetuates misconceptions about the continent. The Equal Earth map, introduced in 2018, maintains proportional land areas while providing a visually balanced view of all continents. The AU’s initiative is part of a larger effort to decolonize education, reshape global perspectives, and promote fairness in how Africa is represented. Experts note that accurate maps can influence global awareness, economic planning, and international cooperation, making this campaign a critical step toward correcting historical inaccuracies and ensuring Africa’s contributions and potential are properly acknowledged worldwide. More