French retail giant has officially announced its entry into the Ethiopian market after signing a franchise agreement with , a subsidiary of .

Under the agreement, Queens Supermarket will operate Carrefour-branded stores across Ethiopia, using Carrefour’s trademarks, operating standards, and product systems. Existing Queens Supermarket branches in Bole and other parts of Addis Ababa are already being rebranded under the Carrefour name.

The first Carrefour-branded stores are expected to open to the public in early 2026 (Ethiopian Calendar). So far, 13 Queens Supermarket outlets have been upgraded to Carrefour standards, with plans underway to open 17 additional branches in the coming phase of expansion.

As part of the partnership, MIDROC will implement a “farm-to-shelf” strategy, enabling Carrefour stores in Ethiopia to supply premium Ethiopian products—including coffee, tea, spices, flowers, and fresh fruits—to global markets through Carrefour’s international retail network.

Commenting on the development, Jamal Ahmed, CEO of MIDROC Investment Group, said the partnership combines deep local market knowledge with Carrefour’s global retail expertise to deliver high-quality and affordable services to Ethiopian consumers.

Carrefour International Partnership CEO Patrick Lasfarges stated that Ethiopia is among the company’s priority markets as it plans to expand into 10 new countries under its global food strategy, adding that the company is pleased to establish a presence in one of Africa’s fastest-growing consumer markets.

Carrefour operates over 15,000 stores worldwide, including around 3,000 franchised outlets. In 2024, the group reported revenues of €94.6 billion, underscoring its position as one of the world’s largest retail chains.

The entry of Carrefour is expected to significantly reshape Ethiopia’s modern retail landscape, intensifying competition while expanding consumer choice and strengthening linkages between Ethiopian producers and global markets.