NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 7 — Global retail giant Carrefour has officially entered the Ethiopian market through a franchise and supply partnership with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of the Midroc Investment Group.
Under the agreement, existing Queens Supermarket outlets across Ethiopia will be rebranded under the Carrefour name, marking the French retailer’s first direct presence in the country. The first stores are expected to reopen as Carrefour outlets in the first half of 2026.
13 Stores to Be Rebranded, 17 More Planned
Carrefour confirmed that the partnership will initially cover 13 existing stores, with plans to open an additional 17 outlets by 2028. This expansion will significantly grow Carrefour’s footprint in one of Africa’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
The deal will also support the transformation of Queens Supermarket’s current retail network while guiding future expansion using Carrefour’s global retail standards.
Part of Carrefour’s Global Growth Strategy
The Ethiopia entry aligns with Carrefour’s broader Carrefour 2026 international franchise strategy, which focuses on expanding into new markets through strong local partnerships.
The retail group surpassed 3,000 franchised stores worldwide in October 2025, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s largest supermarket chains.
Carrefour already operates in several African countries through franchise arrangements, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Egypt.
Midroc to Drive Local Market Expansion
Midroc Investment Group said the partnership will combine its deep local market knowledge with Carrefour’s global expertise in retail systems, supply chain management, and product assortment.
The collaboration aims to expand access to modern retail services for Ethiopian consumers while improving efficiency and product availability.
Industry analysts say the move signals growing investor confidence in Ethiopia’s retail sector, driven by urbanisation, population growth, and rising consumer demand.
