The government of Togo has called on the United Nations to revise the widely used Mercator world map, arguing that it significantly distorts the real size of Africa compared to other regions such as Greenland.
Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, raised the issue on Monday, April 13, 2026, during an interview with Reuters, saying the current map projection misrepresents Africa’s actual scale.
“The size of Africa shown on the world map is not accurate. We are asking for truth based on scientific research,” Dussey said.
The initiative has received backing from the African Union, which has encouraged Togo to spearhead a project aimed at correcting global map representations and gradually ending the use of the Mercator projection within governments and international institutions.
The Mercator projection, created by Gerardus Mercator in 1569, remains one of the most widely used world maps in schools and institutions. However, critics argue that it exaggerates the size of regions closer to the poles while shrinking areas near the equator.
As a result, Africa despite being the world’s second-largest continent often appears much smaller than it actually is. In reality, Africa is about 14 times larger than Greenland, though the Mercator projection can make them appear closer in size.
Civil society organizations including Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa have also supported the campaign. They are advocating for the adoption of maps that more accurately reflect the true land areas of countries and continents.
The Executive Director of Africa No Filter, Moky Makura, emphasized that correcting map distortions goes beyond cartography.
“Demanding accurate representations is not only about maps; it is also a step toward ensuring the world sees Africa as it truly is,” she said.
According to Makura, a draft proposal has already been prepared and will be presented to a committee of member states at the United Nations in September 2026, where countries will vote on whether to support the initiative.
Earlier this year, the African Union urged its 55 member states to stop using the Mercator projection and to promote greater transparency about the real size of countries around the world.
