Retail giant Shoprite Holdings has officially begun the process of exiting the Ghanaian market, marking the end of its over 20-year presence in the country.
The announcement, part of a broader strategic shift, forms part of the South African group’s continued withdrawal from several African markets to refocus on its home base.
In a trading update for the 52-week period ending June 29, 2025, Shoprite revealed it had received a binding offer in June for its Ghana operations, which include seven stores and one warehouse.
The company said the sale was “highly probable,” and confirmed the Ghana operations had now been classified as discontinued.
Shoprite entered Ghana in 2003 with ambitions of tapping into West Africa’s growing retail market. But like its experiences in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and the DRC—markets it previously exited—the Ghanaian venture faced similar challenges including currency depreciation, high operating costs, and inflation.
The group also disclosed it had signed an agreement on June 6 to sell five stores in Malawi, pending clearance from regulators, in a move that further underscores its broader pan-African retreat.
While no buyer has yet been publicly named, Shoprite’s binding agreement suggests a handover is on the horizon. The company’s phased withdrawal reflects mounting operational hurdles in several African markets, with leadership now prioritizing profitability over expansion.
