Togo welcomes AU move to revise Africa’s map depiction
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 12:26 
(Togo First) - Togo has welcomed a decision adopted last week at the African Union’s 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government to revise how the continent is represented on world maps. The initiative was led by Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.
The Assembly encouraged member states to promote the use of fairer and more scientifically accurate map projections in schools, official publications and institutional materials. It also called on international organizations, academic institutions and publishers to adopt representations that reflect the continent’s geographical reality. In addition, the Assembly asked the African Union Commission and member states to undertake a comprehensive review of cartographic standards with a view to proposing continental guidelines.
The AU’s position follows Togo’s 2025 initiative at the United Nations to “decolonize geography.” The country criticized distortions associated with the Mercator projection, which makes Africa appear smaller than it is relative to other regions. Africa accounts for about 20% of the world’s land area and nearly 18% of its population.
The decision, described as “historic,” is intended to “remedy historical distortions caused by certain cartographic projections, notably the Mercator projection, which tends to reduce the apparent size of the African continent compared with other regions,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
Togolese authorities say the initiative is more than symbolic and could help strengthen Africa’s standing in diplomatic, academic and media circles.
R.E.D.
