French retail giant Carrefour has announced its entry into Ethiopia through a franchise and supply agreement with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of MIDROC Investment Group. The deal will see Carrefour’s branding, products, and operational expertise rolled out across MIDROC's supermarket network.

The agreement covers the rebranding of 13 existing stores, with the first conversions scheduled for the first half of 2026, and includes plans for 17 additional outlets by 2028.

Carrefour’s entry into Ethiopia follows decades of cautious market opening. While the country established a legal framework for foreign investment in 1992, retail, import, and wholesale trade sectors remained largely closed to foreign operators. In 2021, Ethiopia began liberalising telecommunications, and in April 2024, Directive No. 1001/2024 opened retail and wholesale trade to foreign investors under defined capital and compliance conditions. This framework was clarified and reinforced in Directive No. 1082/2025, enabling companies such as Carrefour to operate legally in these previously restricted sectors.

The move positions Ethiopia within Carrefour’s growing African footprint. The retailer operates nearly 550 stores across sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Gabon, Ivory Coast, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa represents a high-growth market for Carrefour, driven by rising urbanisation, shifting consumer preferences, and an expanding middle class.

Globally, Carrefour manages a multi-format network of over 15,000 stores in more than 40 countries, including more than 3,000 franchised outlets in over 30 countries under Carrefour International Partnership. In 2024, the group recorded sales of €94.6 billion and employs more than 300,000 people in its integrated store network, with over 500,000 people working under Carrefour banners worldwide.

Jemal Ahmed, chief executive of MIDROC Investment Group, said the partnership will bring “high-quality, affordable products” to Ethiopian consumers by combining Carrefour’s international expertise with MIDROC's local market knowledge.

Patrick Lasfargues, chief executive of Carrefour International Partnership, described the agreement as “another milestone in our international franchise expansion strategy,” noting the group surpassed 3,000 franchised stores globally in October 2025.

The country’s liberalisation opens the door to global retailers, increasing competition and modernising supply chains, but operational complexity and regulatory compliance will be decisive for success.