Namibia and Zambia are expected to sign an oil and gas agreement for the private sector to implement a pipeline project from Walvis Bay to Zambia.
 
The governments will sign the agreement at the 10th session of the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission, currently underway at Swakopmund.

Namibia's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, says the private sector wants to build a pipeline to allow the easy movement of oil and gas, which will soon be processed in Namibia or imported. "There is good news that Namibia has discovered oil and gas, and our Minister of Mines and Energy is here during our discussion. He will give more information and he will see how these regional resources can be of benefit to the people or our region as a whole."

Nandi-Ndaitwah further indicated that the platform allows the two countries to collaborate in the agriculture sector to ensure food security. "It is really unacceptable that when the conflict occurred between Russia and Ukraine, it has come to light that African countries, to a certain level, have suffered food shortages because of that. Therefore, a project like this one, honourable minister, is very important for us to take it very seriously because it has become a learning curve so that we can ensure at all times we are self-sufficient."

Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo, said peace in the region needs to be maintained for residents to enjoy economic benefits. "In our concerted efforts to have a peaceful region where our people can thrive in all spheres, there is a need for all our member states to be proactive in utilising the available mechanisms that will assist the region to respond in an effective manner to mushrooming conflicts." 

The minister indicated that the commission is a platform to consolidate bilateral ties, promote trade and investment and ensure that ordinary citizens benefit.

The commission was established in 1990 following Zambia's political, material, and diplomatic support during Namibia's liberation struggle.