Ethiopia’s Economic Reforms Drive Expansion of Modern Retail and Global Market Access – Finance Minister

Addis Ababa, January 14, 2026 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms are facilitating the growth of modern retail trade and attracting significant foreign investment, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide confirmed.

The MIDROC Investment Group’s Queens Supermarket has entered a franchise and supply partnership with global retail leader Carrefour, representing a major development in Ethiopia’s retail sector.

Under the agreement, 13 existing Queens Supermarket branches will be rebranded under the Carrefour name, with the first stores scheduled to open by mid-2026, it has been learned.

The plan also includes establishing 17 additional outlets across major Ethiopian cities, including Jimma, Bishoftu, Adama, Dire Dawa, Dessie, and Bahir Dar, by 2028.

Officials emphasized that the partnership will align domestic production with international trade standards while enhancing opportunities for Ethiopian goods in global markets.

Key sectors such as coffee, tea, spices, flowers, and fruits are expected to benefit, enabling the export of high-quality, value-added products.

Finance Minister Ahmed Shide noted that the reforms have opened the retail sector to foreign investment, paving the way for modernized retailing in the country.

He highlighted the MIDROC–Carrefour partnership as a demonstration of the reforms’ tangible impact, facilitating integration of Ethiopian products into international supply chains.

MIDROC Investment Group highlighted that the collaboration will boost the competitiveness of local products abroad and create favorable conditions for Ethiopian goods to reach global consumers.

Carrefour International Partnership stated that, in addition to rebranding the existing Queens Supermarkets, the expansion will provide Ethiopian customers access to quality products at competitive prices while promoting Ethiopian specialties, particularly coffee, to the world market.

Carrefour operates in 40 countries with more than 15,000 stores worldwide and reported revenues of 94.6 billion euros in 2024.

Its entry into Ethiopia is expected to strengthen the country’s presence in the global retail landscape and further support its economic reform agenda.