BUSINESS STRATEGY

French retailer Carrefour plans to take on the Ethiopian market

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2026

Latest move in Carrefour’s Africa expansion strategy should see it operating 30 stores in the country with a local partner by 2028.

Carrefour, the French-based supermarket giant, has announced plans to move into the Ethiopian market in partnership with a local company, Midroc Investment Group. 

Carrefour

Photo: Carrefour

Midroc owns the Queen’s Supermarket brand in the country and will convert these 13 existing outlets into Carrefour-branded stores during first half of 2026.  

 

Thereafter, Carrefour and Midroc will open 17 new stores by 2028 to expand their presence in the fast-developing Ethiopian market. 

 

“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,” says Patrick Lasfargues, CEO of Carrefour International Partnership. 

 

Experience that meets the expectations of Ethiopian shoppers 

 

States Jemal Ahmed, CEO of Midroc Investment Group: “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.” 

 

Carrefour’s entry into the Ethiopian market is part of an ambitious expansion strategy in Africa and the Middle East, partnering with experienced local retail groups which act as the master franchisor. 

 

In December 2025, the French company announced its entry into Ghana in partnership with Brands for All, a local distributor that is already a franchise partner for retail chains such as Decathlon and Yves Rocher in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.  

 

In November 2025, Brands for All took over seven Shoprite hypermarkets. These stores will be converted to Carrefour hypermarkets by April 2026. By 2028, five additional outlets will be opened. 

 

Carrefour is active in various African markets – among them Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Gabon, Morocco, Tunisia and the DRC.

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Jason Lottering
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.