The local authorities of Swakopmund and Oranjemund have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at developing innovative solutions to residents' problems.

Housing development, tourism, and investment promotion, as well as waste management, are among the focus areas of the agreement.

Through the five-year agreement, the Swakopmund Municipality and Oranjemund Town Council will rely on exchanging information and expertise to improve service delivery to the public.

Swakopmund's Chief Executive Officer, Archie Benjamin, urged the two councils to rise above political, tribal, and regional limitations and instead learn from anyone with knowledge and best practices.

"We have to galvanise our political and administrative acumen, the private sector's resources, and our comparative and competitive advantages to develop our towns. We can do it ourselves; ultimately, our job is to change people's lives every day."

Swakopmund Councillor Blasius !Goreseb cited various countries and cities in the USA and China that, he said, thrive through the use of artificial intelligence to help solve residents' problems.