French supermarket group Carrefour has announced plans to enter the Ethiopian market through a franchise and supply partnership.
The group will partner with Queens Supermarket, a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group.
The move forms part of Carrefour’s 2026 strategic plan, under which the retailer is seeking to expand into ten new countries through franchising.
Under the agreement, the company will provide its banners, operational expertise and product offering.
Carrefour’s international partnerships CEO Patrick Lasfargues said: “We are delighted to initiate this collaboration with a leading retail player in Ethiopia. Beyond the rapid transformation of the 13 existing stores, the Midroc and Carrefour international partnership teams are already working hand-in-hand on the future growth of our activities in the country: by 2028, we project the opening of 17 additional stores.
“This launch in Ethiopia is another milestone in the execution of our international franchise expansion strategy, which already saw us pass the 3,000 franchised store mark in October 2025.”
As part of the arrangement, Carrefour plans to support the transformation of Queens Supermarket’s existing store network, which will be rebranded under the Carrefour name.
The agreement also includes the rollout of an expansion plan for the network, with the first rebranded outlets expected to open in the first half of 2026.
Midroc Investment Group CEO Jemal Ahmed commented: “I am very proud to announce, along with the entire Midroc team, our integration into Carrefour’s international franchise network.
“By leveraging our deep knowledge of the local Ethiopian market, the dedication of the Midroc teams, and Carrefour’s excellence, we will be able to offer Ethiopian consumers high-quality, affordable products and an experience that perfectly meets their expectations.”
In November 2025, Carrefour confirmed that the Saadé family had become a key shareholder after acquiring a 4% stake in the company’s share capital.
Last September, Carrefour officially ceased operations in Kuwait, completing its strategic withdrawal from four Middle Eastern markets over ten months.
“Carrefour to enter Ethiopia via franchise and supply agreement” was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.
The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.