The African climate summit has ended after leaders adopted a declaration highlighting the continent's potential as a green powerhouse.

Kenyan President William Ruto revealed this while bringing the three-day conference to a close.

He had pushed for a shift in the talks, focusing on Africa’s switch to clean energy even as the continent reels from climate-related disasters.

"This declaration will serve as a basis for Africa’s common position in the global climate change process," a final version of the document said.

It is believed a united African voice could generate momentum for a series of gatherings leading to a crunch UN climate summit which holds in November, including the G20 meeting in new Delhi this weekend.

The declaration calls for "a new financing architecture that is responsive to Africa’s needs which includes debt restructuring and relief", as high cost of financing on the continent.

The document also wants rich carbon polluters to honour long-standing climate pledges to poorer nations and urges world leaders to back a proposed "carbon tax on fossil fuel trade, maritime transport and aviation".

The 54-nation continent is acutely vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change, but the summit largely focused on calls to unlock investment in clean energy.

The summit saw funding pledges worth $23 billion "for green growth, mitigation and adaptation efforts" across the continent.