Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retail chains, has announced its entry into Ethiopia through a franchise and supply partnership with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group.
The agreement will see Carrefour banners, products and operational expertise rolled out across Ethiopia, beginning with the transformation of an existing network of stores currently operated by Midroc.
According to the company, the first stores will be rebranded under the Carrefour name by the first half of 2026.
The move positions Ethiopia as the latest market in Carrefour’s expanding international franchise network, underlining the group’s long-term strategy of growth through partnerships in high-potential emerging economies.
Under the terms of the agreement, Carrefour will support Midroc teams in converting the entire existing store network into Carrefour-branded outlets.
The partnership includes the deployment of Carrefour’s retail standards, supply chain capabilities, product range and operational know-how, alongside the implementation of what the company describes as an “ambitious expansion plan”.
The press release states that the collaboration reflects the strength of Carrefour’s franchise model and contributes to the group’s strategic objective of expanding into 10 new countries under franchise arrangements as part of its Carrefour 2026 plan.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country, has been identified by international retailers as a market with growing consumer demand and long-term potential, driven by urbanization and demographic trends.
Carrefour International Partnership, which oversees the group’s franchise operations, said the Ethiopian launch builds on momentum already achieved through its global expansion strategy.
By October 2025, Carrefour had surpassed the milestone of 3,000 franchised stores worldwide, according to the company.
Patrick Lasfargues, Chief Executive of Carrefour International Partnership, described the Ethiopian agreement as a strategic step in the group’s international development.
He said Carrefour was “delighted” to collaborate with a leading retail player in Ethiopia and highlighted the scale of the planned transformation.
Beyond the rebranding of the 13 existing stores operated by Midroc, Mr Lasfargues said the partnership teams were already working closely on future growth plans in the country.
By 2028, the partners project the opening of an additional 17 stores, significantly expanding Carrefour’s footprint in the Ethiopian retail market.
He added that the launch in Ethiopia represented another milestone in the execution of Carrefour’s international franchise expansion strategy, reinforcing the group’s focus on partnerships that combine global expertise with strong local presence.
For Midroc Investment Group, the agreement marks its integration into Carrefour’s international franchise network and signals a shift towards global retail standards in its supermarket operations.
Jemal Ahmed, Chief Executive of Midroc Investment Group, said the company was “very proud” to announce the partnership and to join Carrefour’s global franchise ecosystem.
He noted that the collaboration would draw on Midroc’s deep understanding of the Ethiopian market, the dedication of its local teams, and Carrefour’s operational excellence.
According to Mr Ahmed, the partnership aims to offer Ethiopian consumers high-quality and affordable products while delivering a shopping experience aligned with international standards and local expectations.
The franchise model allows Carrefour to expand internationally without directly operating stores, relying instead on local partners to manage day-to-day operations while adhering to the group’s brand, supply and operational guidelines.
This approach has enabled Carrefour to establish a presence in multiple markets across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
The Ethiopian rollout is expected to follow this model, with Midroc responsible for local operations and Carrefour providing strategic oversight, brand identity, sourcing capabilities and retail systems.
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