Recognised by JP Morgan Chase and the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) as one of the top 50 fastest-growing women-owned/led companies globally, South African engineering and development company MPAMOT Group ranked forty-fourth.

CEO and founder Malani Padayachee-Saman was honoured during a ceremony at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum, which took place in the US earlier this month.

The businesses on this year’s list collectively generated more than $7-billion in gross revenue in 2024 alone and employed more than 15 000 people. Notably, 84% of the honourees founded their businesses themselves and 58% used personal funds to launch them.

"The 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies list honours the remarkable accomplishments of women who are not only driving impressive revenue growth but also redefining the future of business. Their leadership demonstrates the profound economic and societal impact of women at the helm," said WPO CEO Camille Burns in a media release.

“With a strong commitment to innovation, purpose and people, these companies exemplify the essential role women-owned and -led businesses play in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy. This recognition is more than a milestone, it’s a powerful affirmation of the transformative influence women have in shaping modern business,” she added.

Speaking to Engineering News, Padayachee-Saman attributed the company’s success to a clear vision, strong leadership and a deep commitment to transformation, excellence and sustainability.

From the beginning, MPAMOT had focused on delivering high-quality, client-centric engineering and infrastructure solutions, while remaining true to company values of integrity, empowerment and innovation, she added.

“A key driver of growth has been our people. Over 28 years, we have cultivated a diverse and highly skilled team that brings passion and technical excellence to every project. Our inclusive culture encourages continuous learning, collaboration and accountability – essential ingredients in consistently meeting and exceeding client expectations.

“We also attribute our success to strategic foresight. We have made deliberate investments in capacity building, mentoring, technology and long-term partnerships, both locally and internationally. These investments have allowed us to scale sustainably while responding effectively to South Africa’s evolving infrastructure needs”.

Padayachee-Saman expressed that being put on the same platform as other business owners globally positioned MPAMOT as a beacon for other women interested in engineering and entrepreneurship, particularly those from historically marginalised communities, demonstrating that, with vision and perseverance, barriers can be overcome.

“On a broader scale, this achievement contributes to the ongoing transformation of the industry. It challenges stereotypes, promotes diversity and encourages inclusive practices that benefit not only businesses but also the communities they serve.  As we continue to grow, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower women, uplift communities, and drive impactful change in the engineering and infrastructure sectors,” said Padayachee-Saman.

Over the years, MPAMOT Group has expanded its service offering to renewable energy, infrastructure, transportation and advisory services and its projects have received numerous industry awards.

As a key player in South Africa’s renewable-energy landscape, the team contributes to solar PV, concentrated solar power and wind projects across Africa. Hence, the team supports infrastructure development aligned with the Just Energy Transition, helping to ensure the move toward low-carbon energy is both inclusive and equitable.

While MPAMOT is “immensely proud” of this international recognition and its achievements to date, Padayachee-Saman said it was crucial to highlight some of the systemic challenges facing the industry.

“South Africa is experiencing a significant shortage of engineering and technical skills, which threatens the sustainability of infrastructure development. As a company deeply committed to transformation and empowerment, we continue to invest in training, mentorship and capacity-building. However, this requires long-term commitment and adequate funding.

“The practice of aggressive fee discounting in the consulting engineering sector makes it increasingly difficult for firms to allocate sufficient resources for skills development and retention. This not only undermines the quality and sustainability of projects but also limits our ability as employers to nurture and retain the next generation of professionals – especially women and young talent from underrepresented communities.

“We need to develop enabling policies to ensure the built environment  profession is sustained, because if it isn't, then it's going to have serious repercussions downstream and on the entire value chain,” she said.

“We urge industry stakeholders, both public and private, to recognise the critical importance of investing in skills development and fair procurement practices. Transformation must go hand-in-hand with sustainability and that means creating an enabling environment for all to contribute meaningfully, and lead with impact.

“At MPAMOT, we remain committed to being part of the solution and to driving lasting change in our sector and society,” she added.

Looking ahead, Padayachee-Saman said MPAMOT aimed to build a legacy of sustainable impact through engineering excellence, transformation and inclusive growth. In the medium to long term, its goals are centred on four key pillars.

“We plan to grow our footprint both within South Africa and across the African continent by expanding into new markets and diversifying our service offering. This includes strengthening our presence in the infrastructure, energy, water, transportation and urban development sectors.

“We are embracing cutting-edge technologies as a priority. We are investing in digital tools, smart infrastructure solutions and sustainable engineering practices to stay at the forefront of the industry and deliver greater value to our clients and communities.

“As a proudly black women-owned and -led firm, we are committed to developing the next generation of engineers and industry leaders. We will continue to invest in mentorship, skills development and enterprise development initiatives, especially for women and the youth.

“Our projects are guided by principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and long-term resilience. We aim to be a leading player in sustainable and resilient infrastructure development, aligning our work with global development goals and national priorities.

“Ultimately, our vision is to be a transformative force in the engineering sector – not only delivering world-class projects but also driving inclusive, equitable development across Africa.

“Lastly, and most importantly, I am grateful to the entire MPAMOT team, both past and present for being instrumental in MPAMOT achieving this accolade on a global platform,” Padayachee-Saman commented.

The 50 Fastest list is sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and participation was open to all qualifying businesses, irrespective of WPO membership.

A comprehensive evaluation process ranked all eligible companies using a proprietary sales growth formula that factored in both percentage and absolute growth, ultimately finalising the WPO’s selection of the top 50 performers for recognition on its 2025 list.