The upgrade of a five-kilometre water pipeline near Henties Bay is expected to start soon, following the awarding of a N$15 million tender to a local company.

The pipeline ferries water from the Omdel acquifier at the Omaruru river mouth to ensure water supply at Hentiesbay.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre says the multi-million-dollar upgrade shows the government's commitment to service delivery despite challenges like a sparsely populated country.

The 10th Session of the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation has emphasised the need to urgently resolve technical barriers to trade.

The session ended at Swakopmund on Thursday.

The 10th Session of the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation focused on crucial matters affecting development, such as economic and infrastructure development, transport and communications, health, minerals and energy, and agriculture, amongst others.

The governments of Namibia and Zambia have signed an agreement to facilitate the construction of a pipeline for oil and gas products.

The pipeline project, which will be led by the private sector, is expected to address energy poverty in Southern Africa.

The agreement was signed at the 10th session of the Namibia-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation at Swakopmund.

The oil and gas pipeline will stretch from Zambia to the port of Walvis Bay, promoting the harbour as a logistics hub in Southern Africa.