Business Reporter
In the heart of Southern Africa, where opportunity meets resilience, one man is reshaping the skyline and the soul of Harare.
He however remains modest about his vision and instead piles the praises on his Westprop team which he describes as the drivers and movers of the shared vision
Ken Sharpe, CEO and founder of WestProp Holdings, is not just building structures; he is crafting a legacy of innovation, sustainability, and national pride. With a bold vision and a billion bricks, Sharpe has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential voices in real estate and urban transformation.
When Ken Sharpe founded WestProp in 2007, his mission was simple yet profound: to give Zimbabweans world-class spaces to live, work, shop, and play. What began as a property development company has evolved into a placemaking powerhouse – one that is redefining what it means to live in an African city.
His developments, like Pomona City, The Hills Luxury Golf Estate, Pokugara and Millennium Heights, are not just residential estates; they are walkable smart cities that integrate lifestyle, commerce, and community.
Sharpe’s “One Billion Bricks by 2050” initiative is more than a slogan – it is a national rallying cry. With a US$5 billion development pipeline on its land bank and a vertically integrated supply chain that includes Brick Fusion and Trustprop, WestProp is catalyzing industrial growth, creating thousands of jobs, and expanding housing access. It is a blueprint for economic renaissance, built brick by brick and as Sharpe says, literally with his bricks.
Sharpe’s philosophy is clear: quality of life should be a standard, not a privilege. His developments are infused with global best practices in architecture, sustainability, and urban planning. From solar energy and water recycling to central gas reticulation and high-speed internet, WestProp’s communities are future-proof, inclusive, and aspirational.
But Sharpe doesn’t just build for luxury – he builds for legacy. His approach balances aspiration with accessibility, offering tiered housing options and flexible financing, including 10-year mortgages. It is a model that empowers families, entrepreneurs, and diaspora investors alike.
Sharpe’s strategic alliances with the City of Harare exemplify his belief in collaborative governance. These smart partnerships unlock land value, streamline approvals, and deliver transformative projects. His success proves that trust, transparency, and shared vision are the cornerstones of resilient urban futures—not just in Zimbabwe, but across Africa.
With the US$100 million Mall of Zimbabwe and the US$380 million Golf Estate under construction, Sharpe is positioning Zimbabwe as a regional hub for tourism, lifestyle, and business. These developments are more than destinations – they are declarations. They say to the world: Zimbabwe is open, ambitious, and ready to lead.
Ken Sharpe is not just a chief executive, he is a storyteller, a strategist, and a steward of Zimbabwe’s urban evolution. His work is a masterclass in how real estate can drive economic growth, foster community, and elevate national identity. In a continent rising with promise, Sharpe stands tall as a thought leader whose bricks are building more than cities – he is building hope.
