The long-standing Mercator map projection has historically distorted Africa's size, influencing perceptions of its significance. Adopting more accurate map projections is a technically feasible step with potentially profound symbolic and material benefits for the continent.

<p>For centuries, the Mercator map has distorted Africa’s size, shaping perceptions of the continent's strategic significance and economic prospects. Adopting more accurate map projections is neither technically complex nor prohibitively expensive, yet the symbolic and material consequences could be profound.</p>