By Ebi Kesiena
President William Ruto has said it is key that the African continent adopts a common currency for intra-African trade.
Ruto spoke on Thursday during an engagement with the legislators of the Pan African Parliament in Zambia.
He is in Lusaka for the 22nd Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Heads of State and Governments.
Ruto said lack of a common currency impedes trade activities between African countries.
President Ruto added that trade cannot take place without efficient and unified payment systems as he was warmly received by leaders from Zambia.
“It is also imperative that we proactively seek a resolution to the disparities in currencies and the consequential impediments it poses to intra-African trade,” he said.
The theme for the 22nd COMESA Summit resonates powerfully with Kenya, especially her aspirations for radical national transformation and it aims to foster economic integration for a thriving COMESA, anchored on green investment, value addition and tourism.
The leaders are also expected to discuss peace and security during the COMESA Summit.
In the same vein, on the last day of May, Ruto attended the East Africa Community heads of State Summit in Bujumbura, Burundi, where the leaders discussed the security situation in Eastern DRC.
The EAC leaders said it is important that Congo enjoys peace like other nations.
