Africa map debate reignited as Togo pushes to replace mercator projection

Togo has initiated a diplomatic campaign to phase out the long-standing Mercator projection, arguing that it significantly distorts the true size of Africa and shapes global perceptions of the continent.

With support from the African Union, the country is preparing a draft resolution for presentation at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2026. The proposal calls for the adoption of map projections that more accurately represent land areas worldwide.

Adjoussi Pessiezoum, Director of LTAG at the University of Lomé, highlighted the issue, noting that widely used maps create a misleading comparison between Africa and regions like Greenland. “Africa often appears roughly the same size as Greenland, when in reality it is far larger. The Mercator projection enlarges areas near the poles and shrinks those near the equator,” he explained.

Originally developed for navigation, the Mercator projection exaggerates high-latitude regions while minimising equatorial ones—resulting in Africa appearing significantly smaller than its actual size.

Pessiezoum emphasised that alternative projections already exist and could address this imbalance. “Technically, the solution is straightforward. It’s about applying projections that preserve real surface areas,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that replacing the Mercator system would require a major transition, as it is deeply embedded in educational materials, political maps, and global cartographic standards. 

He also noted that no flat map can perfectly represent a spherical Earth, meaning all projections involve some degree of distortion.

Still, he argued that the current representation has broader implications. “The way Africa is depicted leads people to underestimate it. That perception can influence international decision-making,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Tchabore Bouraima, a journalist, expressed strong support for Togo’s initiative, which has reportedly gained the backing of all 55 African countries. He sees this consensus as a sign of its importance.

“This level of agreement shows confidence in the initiative. It’s about correcting a long-standing misrepresentation and ensuring Africa is portrayed accurately,” he added.