KENYA – Carrefour, operated in Kenya by Majid Al Futtaim Retail, has opened its 29th outlet in the country at Sea Angel Mall, located along Jomo Kenyatta Avenue in Mombasa’s Central Business District.
This latest branch marks the retail chain’s first 24-hour store in the heart of Mombasa, aiming to serve residents, commuters, and travelers with uninterrupted access to groceries and essentials.
The new store has generated over 50 direct employment opportunities, adding to the more than 2,800 Kenyans currently employed across Carrefour’s operations in the country.
Carrefour now operates four stores across the coastal region, including locations at Promenade Mall, City Mall, and Diani Mall.
“As we continue to extend our reach in Kenya, our commitment remains clear: Create ‘Great Moments for Everyone, Everyday’. We do this by making shopping seamlessly convenient and a truly enjoyable experience, keeping quality, affordability, and shared value at the heart of our operations,” Christophe Orcet, Regional Director, Carrefour East Africa.
Rapid national expansion
The opening in Mombasa follows a consistent pattern of national expansion. Earlier in 2024, Carrefour opened its 28th store at Maasai Mall in Ongata Rongai.
This followed a string of launches, including the 25th store at Runda Mall in Nairobi in November 2024 and the 24th outlet at Nord Mall in Ruiru just a month prior.
In April, the chain opened a 600-square-meter supermarket at the Global Trade Centre in Nairobi’s Westlands district.
According to company data, over 700 new jobs have been created through store openings in 2024 alone.
The expansion is part of an effort to improve retail access while supporting local communities through employment and partnerships.
Commitment to local supply chains
Carrefour Kenya sources 99% of its products locally, working with more than 690 farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and manufacturers.
This domestic procurement strategy aligns with the company’s stated objective of enhancing local value chains while maintaining consistent supply levels across its branches.
The partnership with Rubis Energy Kenya has also played a role in Carrefour’s market penetration strategy. The retailer has been working closely with Rubis to explore new ways to improve customer convenience through the energy company’s widespread network of fuel stations.
Retail footprint in Kenya
Since its entry into the Kenyan market in 2016, Carrefour has steadily expanded its presence in Nairobi and beyond.
Its outlets offer a mix of local and international products across fresh produce, household goods, and general merchandise. As of May 2025, the chain has 29 operational stores spread across key urban centers, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Ruiru, and Ongata Rongai.
Majid Al Futtaim Retail, a Dubai-based conglomerate with retail operations across the Middle East and Africa, operates Carrefour stores in Kenya. The company’s expansion in Kenya forms part of its regional growth strategy in East Africa.
The Sea Angel Mall outlet’s 24-hour model may signal a growing demand for around-the-clock retail options in urban Kenyan markets, particularly in high-traffic areas like Mombasa CBD.
Carrefour’s ongoing expansion also puts it in closer competition with other large-scale retailers operating in Kenya, including Naivas and Quickmart.
