The map that changes Africa

by ADANE BIKILA
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – FOR generations, Africans have looked at world maps that made their continent appear far smaller than it really is. Now, that picture is beginning to change.

On September 4, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly backed a Togo-led resolution encouraging countries, schools, institutions and technology companies to use maps that represent continental areas more accurately. The vote was 164 in favour, with six abstentions and only the United States voting against.

The United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution, spearheaded by Togo and backed by African states, advocating for the adoption of the Equal Earth map projection, which more accurately represents the true size of land masses, particularly Africa.

The resolution aims to move away from the commonly used Mercator projection, which significantly distorts geography by enlarging areas near the poles and diminishing equatorial regions like Africa.

The vote passed with overwhelming support: 164 in favor, six abstentions, and only the United States opposing, citing ideological concerns.

While not legally binding, the resolution encourages educational, institutional, and technological adoption of the Equal Earth projection.

Togo plans to update its school geography materials by year-end and will lead efforts to promote broader international adoption, including discussions with the African Union and companies in mapping and location services.

Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey emphasized that the initiative aligns with a broader movement to address colonial legacies and promote fairer global perceptions.

The resolution does not affect Mercator’s continued use in navigation, where it remains effective.

At the heart of the campaign is the Equal Earth projection, which preserves the relative size of landmasses far better than the familiar Mercator projection.

The distinction is dramatic. Africa covers roughly 30.3 million square kilometres—about 14 times the size of Greenland. It is large enough to contain the United States, China, India and much of Europe combined.

This does not mean Mercator was deliberately created to deceive Africans. Developed by Gerardus Mercator in 1569 for maritime navigation, it was designed to preserve angles and directions, not area.

But its distortion has had consequences: countries and continents closer to the poles appear much larger, while Africa and other equatorial regions appear comparatively diminished.

That is why the change resonates so deeply across Africa. A map is not merely geography; it is also education, imagination and perception.

Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey captured the symbolism, saying maps “guide education, nourish the imagination, and influence collective perceptions.” He said the resolution “reaffirms African reality.

African Union Deputy Chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi has similarly argued that the issue is bigger than cartography, saying the old representation created a false impression that Africa was “marginal” and that correcting it helps reclaim Africa’s rightful place globally.

Across social media, the emotional response has been unmistakable.

Ddek wrote: “We need no authorisation from anybody.”

John Adejoro called it “a huge shift,” saying Africans may begin seeing themselves differently.

Getaneh Tegegn pointed to Africa’s immense resources and potential.

Geoffrey Tabo said the corrected perspective makes Africa’s enormous distances more understandable.

Linda M Updates wrote that recognising Africa’s true size comes before recognising its immense potential.

And Gubevu Nokhala perhaps captured the mood best: “As an African I find this so uplifting—I think I will even walk taller!”

The map has not changed Africa. It has changed the picture.

– CAJ News