Carrefour Group, the French retail giant, is solidifying its foothold in West Africa, announcing on Monday a definitive agreement to assume the operations of Shoprite in Ghana.
The move marks a significant shift in the region’s retail landscape, replacing South Africa’s largest grocer with Europe’s leading retailer in a rapidly evolving consumer market.
Under the new partnership, Carrefour will collaborate with Brands For All, a local distributor that acquired the seven existing Shoprite hypermarkets in late 2025.
According to a press release issued by the group, these stores will undergo a comprehensive rebranding to the Carrefour banner, with the first locations expected to reopen to the public by April 2026.
A Shift in Continental Strategy
The deal underscores two diverging strategies currently playing out across the African continent.
For Shoprite, the sale completes a strategic withdrawal from several markets outside of South Africa, a retreat driven by currency volatility and supply chain challenges, allowing the firm to consolidate focus on its home dominance in Cape Town.
For Carrefour, however, Ghana represents a distinct opportunity. The entry is a key component of the French group’s 2026 strategic plan, which targets expansion into 10 new countries specifically through the franchise model.
This asset-light approach allows Carrefour to expand its global footprint—which reported sales of €94.6 billion in 2024—without bearing the heavy capital expenditure of direct ownership.
“This launch in Ghana is another milestone in the execution of our international franchise expansion strategy,” said Patrick Lasfargues, the CEO of Carrefour International Partnership.
He noted that the company had recently surpassed the 3,000 franchised store mark in October 2025.
Local Partnership and Future Growth
The operational heavy lifting will be handled by Brands For All.
Geoffrey Fadoul, the CEO of the distribution firm, emphasized that the partnership would combine international logistics with local expertise.
“By leveraging our deep knowledge of the local market, the dedication of the Shoprite Ghana teams, and Carrefour’s excellence, we will be able to offer Ghanaian consumers high-quality, affordable products,” Mr. Fadoul said in a statement.
The ambitions for the partnership extend beyond the rehabilitation of the current seven locations.
The companies announced plans to open five additional stores by 2028, signaling confidence in Ghana’s consumer spending power despite recent global economic headwinds.
The Global Picture
Carrefour’s arrival places a global heavyweight in Accra’s retail sector. With a network of over 15,000 stores in more than 40 countries, the group markets itself as a leader in the “food transition,” aiming to provide accessible, high-quality food globally.
The agreement serves as a test case for the resilience of the franchise model in West Africa, illustrating what Mr. Lasfargues called the “strength and dynamism” of the format.
As Shoprite exits the stage, Carrefour is betting that a blend of French branding and local management will be the winning formula for the Ghanaian shopper.
Source: Daily Graphic
This article was edited with AI and reviewed by human editors
