Carrefour sets 2030 target to lead Africa’s mass retail market
Strategy relies on franchise partners and asset-light growth model
AFRICA – Carrefour has set a goal of becoming the largest mass-market retailer in Africa by 2030, outlining plans to expand its footprint across the continent as part of its newly unveiled “Carrefour 2030” strategy focused on growth and profitability.
The Paris-based retailer, already a dominant force in France and other European markets, said it aims to operate in 22 African countries out of 45 targeted under its broader international development roadmap within the next four years.
Expansion through partnerships
Rather than shifting its long-standing franchise-led model, Carrefour intends to continue working with local and regional partners, a strategy it has used in Africa for more than two decades to limit direct capital exposure while accelerating store rollouts.
In January, the group signed a franchise and supply agreement in Ethiopia with Queens Supermarket PLC, part of Midroc Investment Group, with plans to convert 13 existing supermarkets to the Carrefour brand in 2026 and open 17 additional outlets by 2028.
That move followed a December 2025 agreement in Ghana with Brands For All, under which seven stores previously operated by Shoprite are expected to be rebranded to Carrefour by April 2026.
These new arrangements add to established partnerships with Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim, which manages Carrefour operations in Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and parts of the Middle East, as well as with CFAO Retail in several Francophone markets including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon and Senegal.
Further franchise operators include Ulysse Hyper Distribution in Tunisia, Hyper Distribution Algérie in Algeria and Label’Vie in Morocco, bringing Carrefour’s total network on the continent to nearly 700 outlets.
Competition with Shoprite
As Carrefour increases its presence, it will contend with Shoprite, which remains the continent’s largest food retailer with 3,478 stores in 2025 and annual sales exceeding US$15.6 billion, converted from more than 250 billion rand.
However, Shoprite has in recent years reduced its footprint outside Southern Africa after exiting markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar, and selling operations in Ghana and Malawi to focus on its domestic base and selected neighboring countries.
Carrefour’s approach differs in that it is seeking to expand into spaces left by retrenching competitors, particularly in Ghana, while relying on franchise partners to drive store growth and limit financial risk as it works toward its 2030 objective.
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