Addis Ababa, January 6, 2026 (FMC) — Queen’s Supermarkets PLC, a subsidiary of MIDROC Investment Group, has entered into a franchise and supply partnership with global retailer Carrefour, a move expected to expand modern retail operations and integrate international standards into Ethiopia’s retail sector.
Under the agreement, Queen’s Supermarkets will introduce the Carrefour brand across its existing store network, adopting the retailer’s operating systems, retail expertise and international standards. The partnership also includes an expansion plan, with the first rebranded outlets scheduled to open in the first half of 2026.
MIDROC Investment Group said the collaboration brings the first international mass-distribution franchise to the Ethiopian market and is aimed at strengthening retail infrastructure, improving access to quality products and supporting broader economic growth.
MIDROC Investment Group Chief Executive Officer Jemal Ahmed said the partnership aligns local production with international retail and quality benchmarks, enabling Ethiopian products to meet global standards while offering consumers affordable, high-quality goods.
From Carrefour’s side, the partnership was described as part of the company’s global expansion strategy. Carrefour International Partnership Chief Executive Officer Patrick Lasfargues said the initial phase will focus on transforming 13 existing stores, with plans to open 17 additional outlets by 2028. He noted that the Ethiopia launch builds on Carrefour’s wider international franchise growth, which surpassed 3,000 franchised stores in October 2025.
Carrefour operates more than 15,000 stores in over 40 countries, while MIDROC Investment Group is one of Ethiopia’s largest private conglomerates, with operations spanning agriculture, manufacturing, mining and retail through its Queen’s Supermarkets network.