The African Union has thrown its weight behind the “Correct the Map” campaign, which seeks to replace the centuries-old Mercator projection with one that truly represents Africa’s size. The Mercator map, created in the 16th century, shrinks Africa and South America while exaggerating the scale of regions near the poles.

Critics argue that this distortion feeds outdated perceptions that Africa is small and marginal. The AU says these misrepresentations influence how the continent is perceived in schools, media, and global policy spaces.

Advocacy groups Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa are championing the Equal Earth projection, calling for its adoption in African classrooms and by global institutions.

Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, says the Mercator map undermines Africa’s identity and pride — and correcting it is a step towards reshaping global understanding.