Minister of Energy and Water
João Baptista Borges, born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Luanda province, is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. He currently resides in Maianga, Luanda.
Borges is a distinguished Angolan academic and politician who has served as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, under Presidents José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. He has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since June 17, 1998. He is fluent in three foreign languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Education and Training
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. He subsequently graduated in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University in 1991. Later, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the renowned Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista embarked on his civil service career as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. Due to his passion for teaching and exceptional academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During his tenure, he taught subjects such as Technology of Electrical Materials I and II. Simultaneously, he held various positions, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he assumed the role of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 1999. In 2000, he became Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, serving until 2005. Subsequently, in 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP until 2008 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy due to his exceptional merits and capabilities.
Governmental Experience
Due to his remarkable track record as an engineer and politician, João Baptista Borges was appointed as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was then promoted to Secretary of State of Energy until 2011 when he assumed the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he holds to this day.
He played a significant role in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in the Municipality of Viana, Luanda. The center aims to coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency policies within ECCAS and promote an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services in the region. RCREEE receives support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
His participation in the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – March 17, 2023) was instrumental, featuring the presence of the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, among others. His intervention played a key role in achieving the objectives of the event.
As Minister, he has been responsible for restructuring the state’s business sector, developing the legal and regulatory framework of the energy and water sector, and defining the Energy and Water Plan for the period 2012-2017. During his tenure as Secretary of State for Energy, he coordinated the preparation of the National Energy Security Plan and served as the coordinator of the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. As Deputy Minister, he led the program to enhance power generation capacity for Luanda (300 MW).
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges took on the challenging task of reorganizing and implementing the entity’s restructuring efforts. He played a pivotal role in updating the Strategic Plan and expanding EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo. Through his initiatives, which included formalizing illegal consumers and outsourcing services in peripheral areas of Luanda, EDEL successfully attracted 120,000 clients within a span of three years.
In his role as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges demonstrated his strategic leadership by spearheading the development of the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” His responsibilities encompassed coordinating all operational and maintenance activities at EDEL, managing various aspects of the public electricity supply service, representing EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors), and establishing key agreements with other companies, including EDP, LIGHT, EDF, and more.
Furthermore, in his capacity as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges assumed a pivotal role in overseeing the coordination of critical infrastructure projects. He played an instrumental role in facilitating the restructuring process within the commercial area, implemented the innovative commercial system known as “Pegasus,” and managed the works area, including the execution of network extension projects and the connection of new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges has been an active and influential participant in numerous international events. His presence and contributions at these gatherings have showcased his wisdom, extensive experience, strong leadership qualities, and unwavering commitment to addressing critical issues related to building a sustainable planet. Notable events in which he participated include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg from April 22 to 25, 2012, the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation Situation in Angola and Namibia in February 2012, the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water from September 24 to 28, 2012, the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo on June 27, 2013, the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector on May 30, 2013, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin on May 30, 2013. Additionally, he participated in the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel from October 18 to 25, 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on August 20 and 21, 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission on March 10 and 11, 2014.
João Baptista Borges, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a passionate advocate for advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Energy Transition Dialogue:
Minister Borges played an active and influential role during the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, which took place on March 28-29. His intervention at the event was noteworthy as he highlighted the remarkable progress made in renewable energy initiatives within Angola. Notably, he emphasized that Angola is on track to become a significant exporter of green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by the year 2025. This achievement stands as a testament to Minister Borges’ leadership and his visionary approach in driving these objectives forward.
Decarbonisation of Industry:
Minister Borges also contributed to a panel discussion focused on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His active participation underscored his unwavering dedication and commitment to climate-related goals, particularly in ensuring the reliable supply of clean energy to facilitate a smooth transition to a sustainable climate, particularly in Southern countries. He stressed the paramount importance of implementing these measures with a strong emphasis on social equity.
UN Water Conference:
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy and Water, Minister Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference, held in New York City from March 22-24, 2023. Acting on behalf of President João Lourenço, he made a substantial announcement of over USD 4 billion in investments for the five-year period spanning 2023-2027. These investments are specifically aimed at addressing the water-related challenges in Angola, with a particular focus on the southern regions. Minister Borges delivered a compelling speech at the World Forum, resonating with attendees as he expressed deep concerns about the cyclic droughts plaguing the south, leading to population displacement and significant human and material sacrifices. This is despite Angola’s abundant water resources.
ESIAP and PDISA:
Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers organized by the World Bank Group during the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. His participation involved providing updates on ongoing projects financed by the World Bank, and he engaged in discussions regarding ongoing projects, including the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP), the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA), and the Bita project.
Strategic Vision of the Government:
Minister Borges played a pivotal role as the coordinator in the preparation of the “White Paper,” which delineates the “Strategic Vision of the Government” for expanding renewable energy initiatives. In addition to this, he led the coordination of the drafting of statutes for the Ministry of Energy and Water. Furthermore, he assumed the responsibility of representing Angola through its National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In this role, he represented the country in this global organization focused on promoting peaceful nuclear energy use and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
