French retail giant Carrefour plans to enter Ghana’s retail market in 2026 through a franchise agreement, according to a joint statement from the companies involved reported by Ecofin Agency.
The deal brings together Carrefour Partenariat International, the group’s international development arm, and local partner Brands For All.
Carrefour’s entry will begin with the takeover and rebranding of all Shoprite Ghana outlets.
Shoprite announced in June 2025 that it had received an offer to sell the seven hypermarkets it operates in Ghana.
These stores are expected to reopen under the Carrefour brand from April 2026, marking the official start of the French retailer’s presence in the country.
The agreement also includes plans to open five additional Carrefour stores by 2028, bringing the total number of outlets in Ghana to 12.
The expansion targets a market of about 35 million people, nearly 60% of whom live in urban areas, as consumer habits continue to evolve.
The Ghana expansion is part of Carrefour’s “Plan 2026,” which aims to enter ten new countries through franchising.
“This launch in Ghana is another milestone in the execution of our international franchise expansion strategy, which already saw us pass the 3,000 franchised store mark in October 2025,” said Patrick Lasfargues, executive director of Carrefour Partenariat International.
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By using a franchise model, Carrefour avoids direct capital investment in Ghana, leaving most of the costs to the local partner while it focuses on brand management, store concepts, and supply chains.
Ghana’s retail market has grown rapidly. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report published in November 2025 estimated the sector expanded by 36.06%, from $24.4 billion in 2021 to $33.2 billion in 2024.
Food retail activity remains concentrated in Accra, near the Tema port, as well as Kumasi and Takoradi, though retail centres are spreading to regional capitals.
While many consumers still shop in traditional markets, this is slowly changing as the middle class grows.
The USDA estimates that small local grocers and community shops dominate 83% of Ghana’s food retail market, while modern trade accounts for 17%.
Carrefour will compete with major players such as Melcom, which operates nearly 75 hypermarkets, as well as China Mall, MaxMart Family Shopping Center, Palace Hypermarket, and All Needs.
The retailer will also face rising competition from e-commerce, supported by internet penetration of around 70% and widespread mobile phone use.
Platforms such as Jumia are expanding online shopping and delivery services. In 2024, Carrefour reported a 9.9% rise in revenue to 94.55 billion euros ($111 billion), as it continues to push its global expansion strategy.
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