As African leaders seek a united front to press for the continent’s green growth potential, Kenya’s President William Ruto has proposed the introduction of carbon taxation. 

Addressing the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in Nairobi on Tuesday, Ruto said carbon tax will spur development in Africa. 

“We need to have a conversation about carbon tax. We believe it is among the ways that we can raise additional and adequate resources for us to finance our development,” Ruto said. 

The Head of State added that speed, scale and affordability are factors to consider in ensuring African countries raise adequate resources. 

Carbon taxation, Ruto said, will enable the continent to unlock resources that will lead it to driving investment opportunities and financing for green energy. 

At the summit, the president also called for global collaboration in addressing global warming and Climate Change issues. 

“Prosperity cannot and must not be pursued in a zero-sum, exclusive fashion, because the resulting injustice and inequity are the drivers of inequality, poverty, conflict and activities that threaten biodiversity and encourage pollution,” Ruto told the summit.