Minister of Energy and Water
Born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Luanda province, João Baptista Borges is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. He currently resides in Maianga, Luanda. Borges is a highly esteemed Angolan academic and politician who has been serving as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, under the leadership of 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. With fluency in English, French, and Spanish, he possesses a strong command of multiple languages.
Training and Education
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. He obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering from the esteemed Agostinho Neto University in 1991. Later, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career
After graduating in 1991, João Baptista embarked on his professional journey in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, serving 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. Simultaneously, he held various positions, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1999, he became the Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2000. From 2000 to 2005, he served as Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP. In 2002, he was promoted to the Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, a role he held until 2008. His exceptional achievements and abilities led to his appointment as the Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. Subsequently, he served as the Secretary of State of Energy until 2011 when he assumed his current role as the Minister of Energy and Water.
Governmental Experience
Known for his impressive engineering and political skills, João Baptista Borges began his government career as the Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008. He held this position until 2010 when he was promoted to the role of Secretary of State of Energy. In 2011, he was appointed as the Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to hold.
During his tenure, Minister João Baptista Borges played a significant role in various important initiatives. He actively participated in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Luanda’s Municipality of Viana. The center’s objective is to coordinate policies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency within the ECCAS region, promoting an integrated and inclusive market for products and services in this domain. Supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO), RCREEE plays a vital role in advancing sustainable energy practices.
Additionally, Minister Borges made a decisive and impactful contribution to the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023). This forum, attended by influential figures such as the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union, aimed to achieve specific objectives related to water and sanitation. Minister Borges’ intervention played a key role in the successful outcome of the event.
In his capacity as Minister, João Baptista Borges had several significant responsibilities. He oversaw the restructuring of the state’s business sector and played a crucial role in shaping the legal and regulatory framework of the energy and water sector. Additionally, he played an instrumental role in defining the Energy and Water Plan 2012-2017. During his tenure as Secretary of State for Energy, he coordinated the development of the National Energy Security Plan and led the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. As Deputy Minister, he was responsible for coordinating the program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, with a target of increasing it by 300 MW.
Notably, as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges successfully executed the restructuring of the organization, updated its Strategic Plan, and significantly expanded its customer base. His efforts resulted in attracting 120,000 clients within three years through the formalization of previously illegal consumers and the introduction of outsourcing services in the peripheral areas of Luanda. Furthermore, he played a vital role in extending EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
During Minister Borges’ tenure as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, he assumed various responsibilities encompassing significant aspects of the company’s operations. These included formulating the « EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005, » overseeing the coordination of all operation and maintenance activities, and managing a diverse range of tasks associated with providing public electricity supply services. Furthermore, he represented EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors) and facilitated agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, among others.
As the Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area within EDEL-EP, Minister Borges effectively coordinated all infrastructure projects undertaken by EDEL. He played a vital role in overseeing the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area, implementing the Pegasus commercial system, and ensuring the seamless execution of network expansion initiatives and the connection of new clients.
Throughout his career, Minister João Baptista Borges has actively participated in numerous international events, where he has shared his expertise and contributed to the discourse on building a sustainable planet. His presence was notable at the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg in April 2012, the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation Situation in Angola and Namibia in February 2012, and the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water in September 2012. He also participated in the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo in June 2013, the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector in May 2013, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin in May 2013. Moreover, he attended the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel in October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission in March 2014.
United Nations (UN)
João Baptista Borges, currently serving as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a dedicated advocate for the achievement of the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. He wholeheartedly embraces the objectives set by the UN and actively works towards their realization.
Energy Transition Dialogue
Minister Borges actively participated in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held on March 28-29. His contribution during the event was exceptional, highlighting the remarkable progress of renewable energies in Angola. Thanks to his leadership and strategic vision, Angola is on track to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This achievement, which is a result of collective efforts, bears the distinct mark of Minister Borges as a visionary leader responsible for accomplishing these objectives.
Decarbonization of Industry
Minister Borges also actively participated in a panel discussion on « Decarbonization of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy. » His involvement demonstrated his deep commitment to climate goals and ensuring a secure supply of clean energy for a climate transition. He particularly emphasized the importance of implementing these measures in a socially just manner, especially in southern countries.
UN Water Conference
As the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference held in New York City from March 22-24, 2023. On behalf of President João Lourenço, Minister Borges announced a substantial investment of over USD 4 billion for the five-year period of 2023-2027 to address the water situation in Angola, particularly in the southern regions. His eloquent words resonated with all those present at the World Forum as he emphasized the challenges posed by recurrent droughts, which lead to population displacement and disruption of ecosystems in the affected areas.
ESIAP and PDISA
In addition, Minister João Baptista Borges participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers organized by the World Bank Group on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During the meeting, he provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank, 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 João Baptista Borges took on the role of coordinating the development of the « White Paper, » which outlines the government’s strategic vision for expanding renewable energies. Additionally, he oversaw the drafting process of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute, ensuring a robust framework for effective governance in these sectors.
Furthermore, Minister Borges assumed the responsibility of Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This office represents the country at the IAEA, a global organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Through his involvement in these key initiatives, Minister João Baptista Borges demonstrates his commitment to shaping the government’s strategic direction, fostering the expansion of renewable energy, and ensuring responsible engagement in the field of nuclear energy.
