Meta Mhlarhi

Director & Co-Founder at Mahlako A Phahla Group

Speaker

Meta Mhlarhi is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mahlako Financial Services (MFS), a 100% African women-owned alternative investment fund manager focused on infrastructure, energy and socio-economic transformation. She is also the Fund Principal of a R2 billion Mahlako Energy Fund, where the team managed to commit 100% of its capital within 3 years. She is a pioneering energy and infrastructure leader with more than 24 years of experience. In 2025, MFS launched the Mahlako Infrastructure and Growth Fund II, with a target to deploy over R5 billion across energy, ICT, water, transport and logistics over the next five years, cementing its role as a leading catalyst for Africa’s infrastructure and energy transition. Under her guidance, Mahlako has also advanced large-scale solar, wind and green hydrogen initiatives, including South Africa’s green hydrogen commercialisation strategy and the Prieska Power Reserve. Through her leadership, Meta continues to drive strategies that align commercial returns with developmental impact, building models of public-private partnerships (PPPs) that are scalable, inclusive and responsive to Africa’s infrastructure needs. Meta’s contributions to the sector have been recognised through multiple awards, including the ABSIP Legacy Award and NASP Best African Private Equity. She also co-leads the Black Energy Professionals Association (BEPA)