Harare — Zimbabwean real estate developer Ken Sharpe is set to take centre stage at the Tech & AI International Expo 2025, where he will speak on the future of Smart Cities in Africa. The event will be held from August 22 to 23 at the Golden Tulip Airport Hotel and Spa in Zanzibar.
Sharpe, CEO of WestProp Holdings, is known for transforming Harare’s skyline with major projects like Pomona City and Millennium Heights. He will join over 1,000 international leaders from the fields of artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and investment at the Expo.
Hosted by Africa Business Inc., the Expo will focus on how Africa can build cities that are smarter, more sustainable, and better suited to support a growing digital economy. Africa Business Inc. CEO Stephene Chikozho will lead the event and host a powerful lineup of speakers, including Sharpe, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Skills Audit and Development Paul Mavima, and Professor Engineer Q. Kanhukamwe, Vice Chancellor of the Harare Institute of Technology.
Sharpe said the continent must begin designing cities that support Africa’s digital future. “Smart cities are the blueprint for inclusive prosperity—and we must build them now,” he said. His talk will highlight the importance of combining technology, infrastructure, and sustainability to build urban spaces that meet the needs of future generations.
Known for his focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) development, Sharpe is expected to speak on how real estate can support smart city planning, digital inclusion, and housing solutions for the middle class. He will also discuss the need for strong public-private partnerships to accelerate smart city projects.
Minister Mavima is expected to deliver a keynote address on how skills development can support Africa’s push into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Professor Kanhukamwe will share insights from HIT’s work in engineering and technology training, highlighting how universities can drive innovation on the continent.
The Expo will also include the launch of a venture capital fund worth more than $50 million aimed at growing African startups into global businesses. Organisers say the presence of Ken Sharpe will add a critical voice to the discussion, showing how infrastructure is key to Africa’s digital growth.
“This Expo is not just about technology; it’s about building the future,” said Chikozho. “Ken Sharpe doesn’t just build buildings—he builds communities ready for a digital age.”
