The big band distribution Carrefour announced on Monday the signing of a franchise agreement and procurement with Midroc Investment Group, owner of several supermarkets in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. This partnership marks the entrance official of the French brand on one of the most dynamic markets from East Africa.

In a first phase, Carrefour will support Midroc teams in the transformation of 13 existing stores in Carrefour brands. The first conversions are scheduled for the first half of 2026, according to a statement from the group, which specifies that this step will allow the standards to be gradually introduced and the brand's offer on the Ethiopian market.

Beyond this phase Initially, the two partners plan to open 17 stores additional by 2028, reflecting an ambition for rapid deployment and structured on the territory. The objective is to respond to the growth of the urban demand and to the evolution of consumer habits in the country.

Midroc Investment Group is a conglomerate owned by the businessman Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi. The group already maintains close relationships with Carrefour, of which it is a global supplier of products such as coffee, tea, spices and fresh fruit.

“This launch in Ethiopia represents a new key step in the implementation of our international franchise development strategy, which has already allowed us to exceed the mark of 3,000 franchised stores in October 2025,” said Patrick Lasfargues, CEO of Carrefour International Partnership, underlining the strategic importance of this new market for the group.