French retail giant Carrefour has officially entered the Ethiopian market, marking the first time an international supermarket chain has established a presence in the country. The move, announced in early January 2026, is part of the Group's Plan 2026, a roadmap designed to expand its global franchise footprint into 10 new countries.
The entry is being managed through a franchise and supply partnership with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of the Midroc Investment Group. Midroc, owned by Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi, is Ethiopia's largest private conglomerate with extensive holdings in agriculture, manufacturing, and hospitality.
The partnership will begin with the immediate transformation of the existing Queens Supermarket network , which comprises 13 stores. The stores will be rebranded and upgraded in line with Carrefours standards. The joint venture will also see the addition of 17 more locations by the end of 2028.
