Carrefour has entered Ethiopia through a Carrefour Ethiopia franchise deal with Queens Supermarket PLC. Queens is a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group, Ethiopia’s largest private company.
The partnership will bring Carrefour’s brand, products, and retail expertise to the country. Specifically, all 13 existing Queens stores will be rebranded by mid-2026.
In addition, the companies plan to open 17 new stores by 2028. That brings the total to 30 locations nationwide.
This move supports Carrefour’s 2026 strategic plan. The goal is to expand into 10 new countries through franchising. Ethiopia is now the latest addition.
Carrefour recently passed 3,000 franchised stores worldwide in October 2025. Therefore, this deal reinforces its global growth momentum.
Patrick Lasfargues, CEO of Carrefour International Partnership, called it a “major milestone.” He said teams are already working together on future expansion. “By 2028, we project 17 additional stores,” he added.
Meanwhile, Midroc CEO Jemal Ahmed welcomed the collaboration. “We’re proud to join Carrefour’s international network,” he said. He emphasized their deep local knowledge and Carrefour’s retail excellence.
Together, they aim to offer Ethiopian consumers high-quality, affordable products. The experience will match local expectations closely.
Ethiopia has over 135 million people—making it a key market for modern retail. Carrefour’s entry meets rising demand for organized grocery chains.
Moreover, Midroc produces coffee, spices, and fresh produce locally. These goods may soon appear in Carrefour stores, boosting local sourcing.
Midroc employs more than 80,000 people across agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. Its strong footprint gives Carrefour a solid launchpad.
Carrefour already operates in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana. Thus, this Ethiopia launch fits seamlessly into its African strategy.
The franchise model is asset-light and fast. It lets Carrefour scale quickly while empowering local partners like Midroc.
In short, the Carrefour Ethiopia franchise deal is more than a rebrand. It’s a strategic move to shape Ethiopia’s retail future.
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