Togo's foreign minister said the country will ask United Nations member states to adopt a world map that more accurately reflects Africa's true size and ditch the 16th-century Mercator projection https://t.co/C3O6cWlmNA pic.twitter.com/cHJXoXiSLb
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 15, 2026
Togo is leading a push at the UN to replace the Mercator map with a more accurate projection of Africa’s true size, arguing current maps distort global perceptions.
Togo will urge United Nations member states to adopt a world map that accurately reflects Africa’s true size, replacing the widely used Mercator projection. Critics say the centuries-old map distorts reality, making Greenland appear comparable to Africa, which is about 14 times larger. Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said, “The size we see of the African continent… is geographically inaccurate.”
The initiative, backed by the African Union, promotes the “Correct The Map” campaign led by advocacy groups. It calls for adoption of the Equal Earth projection, designed to present countries in proportion. Supporters argue the Mercator projection reinforces outdated perceptions of Africa’s global importance and influence.
A draft resolution is being prepared for consideration at the UN General Assembly, with a possible vote in September. Dussey said the move seeks “scientific truth,” while campaigners stress, “Accurate representation is not just about maps – it is about agency, progress.” The outcome is expected to test global support for reshaping how Africa is viewed worldwide.