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.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
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.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataAs 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.
