Nairobi — President William Ruto has urged African leaders and Parliaments to champion the continent's development agenda.

Speaking on Friday when he addressed a joint session of the Congolese Parliament in Brazzaville, President Ruto said Africa has the resources and opportunities necessary to drive a clean, just, and inclusive prosperity society for her people and across the world.

He listed infrastructure development, elimination of visa,s and trade barriers as areas the continent needs to address in order to stimulate free trade.

"It is the right time to engage Africa's leaders for the purpose of mobilizing a firm African position on issues that are directly connected with our collective aspirations," he said.

The President is in Congo- Brazzaville on a two-day state visit since Friday when he arrived there from the Comoros Islands.

He noted that African leaders must speak with one voice and called for collective climate action on a global scale.

The Head of State argued that the leaders must advocate for reforms in the multinational financial institutions to address the debt crisis in the continent.

President Ruto added that it was unfortunate that African countries have to choose between their development needs and climate action.

"It is, therefore, clear that if we do not solve the debt issue, it will be impossible to address the climate crisis," he stated.