Zambia is working towards improving the operations at its dry port at Walvis Bay, in Namibia's Erongo Region.
President Hakainde Hichilema told guests at Zambia's 58th independence anniversary celebrations that port development is crucial to igniting other transport infrastructure and industries.
President Hichilema recently toured Zambia's dry port facilities at Walvis Bay on an invitation by President Hage Geingob.
The Zambian dry port is one of the busiest among the three ports the Namibian government gave to SADC land-locked countries.
"We are working in an organised and methodic way so we can contribute to that port being functionally correct so it can contribute positively to the economy of the two countries. We were reminded of the importance of the route from Walvis to Katima Mulilo to Sesheke on our side. We need to get our infrastructure to function properly all the way from the port, all the way to our border. We need an efficient border system. A route then develops from there to Livingstone via Lusaka-Ndola-Kasumbalesa. The other part goes through Sesheke, into Mongo-Kaoma, into the northwestern mining province, which is a very important asset for us. We will be reporting back to you, Mr President, that we are working."
Expanding transport infrastructure is just one of the policies that Hichilema has prioritised to help turn around Zambia's economy.
The Zambian leader says the most important thing is unity within his country and the region, which would lead to total economic emancipation.
"This new government wants to bring this country together, and a unified platform is a basis. As the theme goes, inclusiveness and unity to accelerate economic and social development are key. We want to thank the people of Namibia and SADC. I must say, President Geingob is the chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security and he is with two other presidents, Cyril Ramaphosa as outgoing chair and myself as incoming chair, and we work closely together there to keep peace in our SADC region."
Namibian President Hage Geingob, who was the guest of honour at the Zambian Independence celebrations, echoed these sentiments.
"An unbreakable bond of kinship connects the people of Zambia and Namibia. It is a bond that rests on the foundation of Pan-Africanism and is buttressed by the pillars of freedom, justice, and equality. It is for these ideals that we, as African people, took up the fight for our independence."
Recently, Namibia and Zambia concluded a deal for the construction of a 2000-kilometre stretch of an oil pipeline from Walvis Bay to Lusaka.
The deal would see Namibia supplying its neighbour with more than 100 000 barrels of fuel a day.