Zambia Air Force Launches Supermarket Chain to Support Citizens and Reduce Cost of Living

 

Zambia Air Force Launches Supermarket Chain to Support Citizens and Reduce Cost of Living

The Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma, MP, has commended the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Command for aligning with the government’s goal of combating hunger and lowering the cost of living for the Zambian people.

Speaking at the official opening of the first-ever Air Force Supermarket at ZAF Lusaka Air Force Base on Thursday, 29 May 2025, Mr. Lufuma hailed the initiative as a milestone achievement that will deliver direct benefits to communities, particularly those at the grassroots level.

> “ZAF continues to play a vital role in delivering social services. The new supermarket, like ZAF health and education facilities, will serve both military families and surrounding communities by providing affordable, essential commodities right at their doorstep,” he said.

The Minister also praised ZAF for other welfare initiatives, including renovation of office spaces, installation of solar street lights, and upgrading water systems, including borehole drilling. He noted these projects reflect ZAF’s strong commitment to the well-being of its personnel and communities.

Mr. Lufuma further emphasized that ZAF is not only fulfilling its constitutional role of securing Zambia’s airspace, but is also responding to non-traditional security threats like climate change, floods, droughts, and food insecurity, which threaten national and regional stability.

> “Development is a collective effort. The Zambia Defence Force continues to prove itself as a critical partner in agriculture, infrastructure development, and service delivery,” he stated.

The Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with the Defence Force to tackle the everyday challenges facing citizens. He reiterated President Hakainde Hichilema’s dedication to servant leadership, emphasizing a people-driven government that is elected by the people, accountable to the people, and working for the people.

ZAF Commander: Supermarket a Step Toward Better Welfare

Earlier, ZAF Commander Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni described the launch of the supermarket as part of a larger initiative to set up similar facilities at all major ZAF bases across the country, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

> “This facility is more than a structure. It is a strategic intervention—a way of bringing affordable products, including those from our farms, closer to our personnel and their families. It’s about dignity, welfare, and operational readiness,” said Lt Gen Nyoni.

He explained that ZAF’s ventures into agriculture and now retail are deliberate efforts to contribute to national food security and reduce the cost of living. He called on ZAF personnel to support the project fully and ensure the supermarket becomes a model of excellence and a bridge to local communities.

> “Well-supported troops are more

effective in their duties. This supermarket is a step forward in taking care of those who serve,” he added.

The Air Force Supermarket project stands as a testament to ZAF’s evolving role in national development, showcasing how the military can contribute to improving livelihoo

ds beyond its traditional mandate.