Who is Ken Sharpe, the real‑estate tycoon taking over Harare?

Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, widely known as Ken Sharpe, is one of Zimbabwe’s most talked-about businessmen. With an estimated net worth of $600 million, Sharpe has built a real-estate empire that he claims supports over 20,000 jobs in the capital city of Harare.

But behind the glossy projects and luxury developments, his name is tied to political connections, legal battles, and heated environmental debates.

A Businessman Close to Power

Ken Sharpe is often described as a close ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His friendship with the head of state has raised questions about how he secures major land deals in Harare. Critics suggest that political influence plays a role in his rapid expansion across the capital.

While his supporters praise him for creating jobs and driving property development, opponents argue that his empire thrives because of preferential treatment from government authorities.

Controversial Land Deals

Sharpe’s real-estate projects include shopping malls, luxury apartments, and office complexes. However, some of the land acquisitions have been heavily disputed.

• Opposition activists have accused him of grabbing land through questionable processes.

• Environmentalists warn that several projects threaten Harare’s wetlands, which play a key role in the city’s water supply and natural ecosystem.

• Community groups claim that ordinary citizens are losing land and public spaces to private developments controlled by Sharpe’s companies.

These concerns have triggered court battles and public protests, making him one of the most polarizing figures in Zimbabwe’s business world.

Locked in Litigation

Ken Sharpe’s growing influence has not gone unchallenged. He is currently embroiled in legal disputes with leading opposition activists who accuse him of corruption and abuse of power.

Although he has denied any wrongdoing, the lawsuits highlight the sharp divide between those who see him as a visionary investor and those who consider him a symbol of elite privilege and land injustice.

Wealth and Business Empire

Sharpe’s estimated fortune of $600 million comes mainly from real estate, but his investments stretch into other sectors as well. Through his company West Properties Zimbabwe, he oversees several major development projects in Harare, including:

• Residential housing estates

• High-end office parks

• Commercial centers and retail spaces

His company markets itself as a driver of modernization in Zimbabwe’s capital, promising world-class standards in construction and urban design.

Supporters vs. Critics

• Supporters argue that Sharpe is a rare example of a Zimbabwean businessman attracting foreign capital and boosting employment in a struggling economy.

• Critics insist that his empire benefits the elite while ordinary Zimbabweans face high property prices, loss of public land, and worsening environmental damage.

This sharp divide reflects the wider tension in Zimbabwe’s economy—between development and accountability, modernization and environmental sustainability.

Ken Sharpe’s story is not just about real estate; it is about power, politics, and the future of Harare. As the city continues to expand, the tycoon’s projects will shape the lives of thousands of residents. But whether he will be remembered as a nation-builder or a controversial land baron depends on how history judges his role in Zimbabwe’s transformation.