French retailer Carrefour is beginning operations in Addis Ababa within two weeks as it converts existing supermarket branches to its brand, following a franchise and supply agreement signed in January with Queens Supermarket, part of MIDROC Investment Group.
Fifteen Queens Supermarket branches across Addis Ababa, Adama, Dessie and other cities are currently being converted to carry the Carrefour name. Three additional Carrefour supermarkets are under construction in Addis Ababa at Piazza Arada Mall, Millennium Hall in Bole, and Mohammedia Village in Sarbet. MIDROC plans to expand its Carrefour network to 31 supermarkets by the time of the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP32.
The company is promoting its arrival through MIDROC Week, a week-long exhibition at Meskel Square where Carrefour products are on display. Beyond retail operations, the partnership is expected to help Ethiopian products such as coffee, tea, spices, flowers and fresh fruit enter Carrefour's global network. Carrefour operates more than 15,000 stores across more than 40 countries, with sales exceeding €91 billion in 2025, and already runs supermarkets in Kenya and Uganda.