The African Union has thrown its weight behind a campaign to replace the 16th-century Mercator map with a more accurate representation of the continent’s size. The Mercator projection, designed for navigation, distorts continent sizes, making areas near the poles like North America and Greenland appear larger while shrinking Africa and South America. According to Selma Malika Haddadi, AU Commission deputy chairperson, this perpetuates a false narrative that Africa is “marginal,” despite being the world’s second-largest continent with over a billion people.
Led by advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa, the ‘Correct The Map’ campaign urges organizations to adopt the 2018 Equal Earth projection, which reflects countries’ true sizes. Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, calls the Mercator map “the world’s longest misinformation and disinformation campaign” that needs to stop. Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, emphasizes the impact on Africans’ identity and pride, especially children exposed to it in school.
The Mercator map’s inaccuracies influence media, education, and policy, reinforcing stereotypes about Africa. Haddadi stresses that the AU’s endorsement of the campaign aligns with its goal of reclaiming Africa’s rightful place on the global stage amid growing calls for reparations for colonialism and slavery. The AU will advocate for wider adoption of the Equal Earth map and discuss collective actions with member states.
Some organizations have already taken steps to adopt more accurate maps. Google Maps switched to a 3D globe view on desktop in 2018, although the Mercator projection remains the default on mobile apps. The World Bank uses the Winkel-Tripel or Equal Earth for static maps and is phasing out Mercator on web maps. The campaign has also reached out to the UN geospatial body, UN-GGIM, awaiting review and approval.
The push for a new map is linked to broader demands for reparations and recognition of historical injustices. Dorbrene O’Marde, Vice Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, endorses the Equal Earth map as a rejection of the Mercator map’s “ideology of power and dominance.” This movement reflects a growing call for accurate representation and redress for the legacies of colonialism and slavery.
As the African Union and its partners push for change, the future of cartography may look different. With the Equal Earth projection, Africa takes its rightful place on the global map, reflecting its true size and significance. This shift could have far-reaching implications for education, policy, and our understanding of the world.
The African Union’s campaign has garnered support from other regions, including the Caribbean Community. This united front highlights the need for accurate representation and the importance of reclaiming Africa’s rightful place on the global stage. As the world moves forward, it’s likely that we’ll see a shift towards more accurate and inclusive mapping practices.
