Carrefour Aims for African Retail Dominance by 2030

Paris-based retail giant Carrefour has announced an ambitious plan to grow the largest mass-market retailer in Africa by 2030, intensifying its growth strategy focused on scale, market penetration, and profitability. The company intends to operate in 22 African countries within the next four years, building upon its existing network and strategic partnerships.

Expansion Strategy: Franchising and Partnerships

Carrefour’s expansion will largely rely on its established franchise-driven model, collaborating with regional partners to limit capital exposure while accelerating growth. This approach has been a cornerstone of its African strategy for over two decades. Recent developments include a franchise and supply deal in Ethiopia with Queens Supermarket PLC, a subsidiary of Midroc Investment Group [1]. This agreement will see 13 existing stores rebranded to Carrefour in 2026, with an additional 17 outlets planned by 2028.

In Ghana, Carrefour has secured a deal with Brands For All to rebrand seven outlets previously operated by Shoprite by April 2026 [2]. These moves complement longstanding alliances with Majid Al Futtaim, overseeing operations in Egypt, Kenya, and Uganda, and CFAO Retail, covering markets like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Senegal [1]. Additional franchise operators include Ulysse Hyper Distribution in Tunisia, Hyper Distribution Algérie in Algeria, and Label’Vie in Morocco.

Current Footprint and Future Growth

Carrefour’s African store network currently comprises nearly 700 outlets [1]. The company is targeting operations in 22 of the 45 African countries identified in its global development roadmap [2].

Competition with Shoprite

Carrefour’s expansion is set to intensify competition with Shoprite, currently the largest food retailer in Africa with over 3,400 stores and annual sales exceeding $15 billion [3]. However, Shoprite has been scaling back operations outside of Southern Africa in recent years, exiting markets like Nigeria, Madagascar, and Malawi, and divesting businesses to focus on core territories [3].

Carrefour 2030 Strategy

The expansion is part of Carrefour’s broader “Carrefour 2030” strategy, unveiled on February 18, 2026 [3] and [2]. Further details on the strategy can be found on the Carrefour Group website [4].