Business Reporter
WestProp Holdings CEO Ken Sharpe this week unveiled the company’s plans for the Chivhu Eco City Project, a development designed to bring world-class infrastructure to Mashonaland East Province.
Speaking to the press after touring the site, Sharpe said the project responds to longstanding calls from stakeholders for WestProp to expand beyond Harare.
“We have been asked for several years to venture outside the capital. Previously, we focused on existing projects in Harare to avoid overpromising and under delivering. With the start of the new quarter, we are now in a position to complete our nine ongoing Harare projects and replicate the model in other towns,” he said.
Sharpe, also known in business circles as KS, explained that despite interest from cities including Kwekwe, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare and Bulawayo, the company opted for a location that is both strategic and currently underdeveloped. The chosen site in Chivhu spans approximately 5,000 hectares, allowing for the creation of a sustainable “Eco City” that integrates nature and human habitation.
“There are few developments of this kind in Africa, and none outside Africa where a nature reserve is incorporated into the city itself. We plan to dedicate around 2,000 hectares to a private game reserve with animals,” Sharpe said.
The project will introduce the Big Five in partnership with local authorities, giving 20,000 future residents access to the reserve. The city will also include hotels and tourist attractions. Preliminary estimates suggest the project could be valued above US$4 billion, surpassing the current value of Pomona City.
Sharpe emphasized the scale of the undertaking, noting that WestProp has assembled a team of 25 staff members, including consultants, to conduct feasibility and market research.
“Since the site lacks basic services such as sewerage, water, electricity and roads, we will provide all infrastructure ourselves. This is a significant commitment, and we are involving international experts to support the project. By Q3, we plan to begin groundworks,” he said.
Since the initial announcement, the project has attracted significant public attention, receiving 100,000 views within 48 hours of the first post. Sharpe highlighted the project’s flexible financing model, allowing buyers to pay as little as US$300 per month over 30 years to acquire property, spreading the cost of building a home over time.
