Reimagining Urban Futures: Ken Sharpe and WestProp’s Visionary Journey in Zimbabwe

Discover how Ken Sharpe, CEO of WestProp Holdings, is transforming Zimbabwe’s urban landscape with smart cities, sustainable design, and visionary real estate development—building not just homes, but thriving communities and a bold future for the nation.

In an era where urbanization is rapidly reshaping global landscapes, WestProp Holdings stands as a beacon of visionary ambition, pioneering Zimbabwe’s transformation into a modern urban utopia. Under the dynamic leadership of Ken Sharpe, WestProp has emerged not just as a property development firm, but as a catalyst for cultural, economic, and environmental renaissance. With bold projects like Pomona City, Millennium Heights, and The Hills, the company is redefining what it means to live, work, shop, and play in Zimbabwe—brick by brick.

A Mission Rooted in Vision

At the core of WestProp’s existence lies a profound mission: to lay one billion bricks by 2050 and reimagine urban living spaces in Zimbabwe. Far from a symbolic statement, this mission is embedded in the company’s operational DNA—evidenced by the digital brick counters at every site. Already nearing 90 million bricks, the mission is not only quantifiable but demonstrative of tangible progress.

This bold vision serves as the heartbeat of WestProp’s culture, fueling its commitment to aspirational lifestyles, cutting-edge innovation, and sustainable value creation. “We don’t just build structures; we cultivate communities where people can thrive,” says Sharpe. It is a sentiment that reverberates through every corridor of the company’s developments and strategic plans.

Bringing Dubai to Zimbabwe: A Global Dream with Local Roots

“Bringing Dubai to Zimbabwe” is not just a marketing slogan—it’s a transformative urban agenda. WestProp envisions a Zimbabwe where luxurious, smart, and integrated urban ecosystems rival those of the world’s most advanced cities. Through walkable mixed-use developments, smart infrastructure, and curated experiences, WestProp is importing global design philosophies and merging them with Zimbabwe’s unique cultural and geographic identity.

Pomona City stands as the flagship embodiment of this dream. Its state-of-the-art planning and emphasis on convenience, security, and lifestyle underscore WestProp’s determination to elevate the Zimbabwean real estate landscape to world-class standards.

The Hills: Where Nature Meets Innovation

While each WestProp development reflects the brand’s DNA, The Hills perhaps best encapsulates its boundary-pushing ethos. Described by Sharpe as “the first of many,” The Hills will boast Zimbabwe’s first USPGA-rated golf course, branded residences, an expansive baobab forest, and over 80% green space. It exemplifies WestProp’s synthesis of luxury, ecology, and forward-thinking design. With such innovation, the company isn’t merely keeping up with global trends—it’s setting them.

Innovation at the Core

WestProp’s commitment to innovation transcends aesthetics and penetrates the infrastructural and operational levels of its developments. From smart energy grids and AI-enhanced surveillance to modular construction and eco-conscious waste systems, the company is future-proofing its projects.

This ethos of “building for tomorrow” ensures that WestProp communities are not just homes but intelligent ecosystems—capable of adapting to the evolving needs of families, businesses, and society at large. The digital integration is not a gimmick but a means to deliver on a promise of seamless, efficient living.

Navigating Economic Turbulence with Visionary Clarity

Zimbabwe’s economic challenges are well documented, yet WestProp continues to forge ahead with billion-dollar initiatives. According to Sharpe, the secret lies in long-term vision and strategic execution. “We are not concerned about the immediate environment and its challenges,” he says. “We are looking beyond 2050.”

By leveraging the trust associated with being listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange and fostering robust stakeholder communication, WestProp exudes confidence and transparency. Strategic partnerships, phased rollouts, and agile decision-making underpin the company’s resilience in a volatile macroeconomic environment.

Sustainability as a Foundational Principle

WestProp is not just developing smart cities; it is cultivating green, sustainable ones. Environmental stewardship is woven into the fabric of its projects. The company’s developments embrace solar energy, water harvesting systems, carbon-conscious construction materials, and extensive green zones.

At Pomona City, over 50% of land is dedicated to green space. At The Hills, that figure soars above 80%. These initiatives aren’t afterthoughts—they’re foundational principles. Thousands of indigenous trees have been planted, and fruit orchards are integrated into residential areas, creating not just green spaces but living, breathing ecosystems.

Building 15-Minute Cities: The New Urban Paradigm

The “live, work, shop and play” model is more than a catchphrase—it’s a radical reshaping of urban interaction. WestProp’s developments aim to eliminate commute fatigue, enhance productivity, and nurture stronger community ties by embedding all essential services within a 15-minute walking radius.

Whether it’s The Mall of Zimbabwe at Millennium City, the shopping centres at Pomona City and The Hills, or recreational zones within gated communities, WestProp ensures that convenience is built into the urban fabric. The result? More connected, vibrant, and human-centered cities.

Overcoming Mental Barriers, Not Just Physical Ones

One of the greatest obstacles WestProp faced wasn’t logistical—it was psychological. “The biggest enemy we have in Zimbabwe is our mindset,” Sharpe reflects. Shifting public perception from seeing property as merely transactional to viewing it as transformational required relentless storytelling, media engagement, and proof-of-concept projects.

Sharpe’s personal philosophy—that the glass is half full—has fueled this mindset revolution. By modeling positivity and possibility, he and his team have created a ripple effect of inspiration and ambition.

A Leadership Style of Purpose and Participation

Ken Sharpe doesn’t lead from a distance. Every Wednesday, he tours WestProp’s developments personally, connecting with the ground reality and reinforcing a culture of excellence. His leadership philosophy blends vision with empathy and momentum with measurement.

Delegation is institutionalized—CEO roles are rotated within the C-suite to foster inclusion and skill development. WestProp is also proudly committed to gender equality, with 50% female representation in its top leadership—a rarity in the property development world.

International Partnerships: Leapfrogging with Collaboration

Global collaboration is a cornerstone of WestProp’s strategy. By aligning with international designers, financiers, and innovators, the company taps into global best practices and unlocks foreign direct investment into Zimbabwe. This not only accelerates project execution but also broadens access to mortgage capital—an urgent need in Zimbabwe’s underdeveloped financial sector.

“Without international capital, it will take us a long time to achieve our goals,” Sharpe asserts. “But with it, we can leapfrog.”

Responding to a New Generation of Buyers

The Zimbabwean real estate market has matured. Buyers now seek security, connectivity, sustainability, and lifestyle. WestProp has responded by offering gated communities, tech-enabled homes, and flexible ownership models such as rent-to-buy schemes.

Despite a mortgage-to-GDP ratio of just 0.04%—far below global norms—WestProp has built a mortgage book larger than any bank in the country. The company is not just responding to demand; it is helping to shape and grow it.

Philanthropy with Purpose: Building Futures, Not Just Homes

WestProp’s social impact initiatives are deeply intertwined with nation-building. From funding education and healthcare for vulnerable children to revitalizing public parks like Harare’s Greenwood Park, the company’s CSR efforts reflect a sincere commitment to community development.

For Sharpe, nation-building is more than corporate responsibility—it’s a personal mission. “We are not selling real estate; we are selling hope,” he says. His passion is evident in WestProp’s new slogan for 2026: “Proud, Proud, Proud – Proud of our Family, Proud of our Company and Proud of our Country.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Dreamers

To the youth of Zimbabwe, Sharpe offers a rallying cry: “Dream audaciously.” With 62% of Zimbabwe’s population under the age of 25, the future hinges on the aspirations of young dreamers. His advice? Learn relentlessly, network fearlessly, and walk with integrity.

“Property development is not just about bricks—it is about building futures,” he says. And that future belongs to those who are bold enough to imagine it.

Charting the Next Five Years

WestProp’s five-year strategy is laser-focused: grow the company’s asset base from US$300 million to over US$1 billion and complete landmark projects like The Hills Golf Estate Phase II and Mall of Zimbabwe. The company will stay within Harare for now, focusing on depth before breadth. Only after perfecting its current portfolio will it consider expansion into other towns or regions.

Execution, excellence, and expansion—those are the three pillars of WestProp’s short- to mid-term roadmap.

Redefining Success: From Profit to Purpose

For Ken Sharpe, success is not measured in square meters built or profits posted—it is measured in lives touched. “If a child grows up safer, smarter, and happier in a WestProp home, I have succeeded,” he says.

Success, to him, is significance. It’s the legacy he leaves behind—the communities he nurtures, the dreams he catalyzes, and the nation he helps build. And in that legacy, family and faith are as important as cement and steel.

WestProp Holdings, under the inspirational stewardship of Ken Sharpe, is crafting a bold new vision for Zimbabwe—one brick, one family, one community at a time. Through a unique blend of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity, the company is setting the benchmark for what real estate can and should be in the 21st century. More than just a developer, WestProp is a dream builder—and Zimbabwe is its canvas.