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 highly regarded Angolan scholar and statesman, 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 held a position in the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since June 17, 1998, and is proficient in three foreign languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Educational Background
João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. In 1991, he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University. Subsequently, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the esteemed Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal.
Professional Journey
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista embarked on his professional career in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. Fueled by his passion for teaching and backed by his outstanding academic achievements, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this period, he also assumed various roles, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he took on the role of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 1999. In 2000, he assumed the role of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, a responsibility he carried until 2005. In 2002, he was elevated to the position of Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, serving until 2008, when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy in recognition of his exceptional skills and contributions.
Governmental Service
Thanks to his exemplary track record as both an engineer and a statesman, João Baptista Borges was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was subsequently promoted to Secretary of State for Energy, a role he occupied until 2011 when he assumed his current position as Minister of Energy and Water. He actively participated in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in the Municipality of Viana, Luanda. The center’s mission is to coordinate policies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency in the ECCAS region and to foster an integrated and inclusive ECCAS market for related products and services. RCREEE receives support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Minister Borges also played a pivotal role in the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – March 17, 2023), where his contributions were instrumental in achieving the forum’s objectives.
During his tenure as Minister, João Baptista Borges was at the forefront of restructuring the state’s business sector, developing the legal and regulatory framework for the energy and water sectors, and formulating the Energy and Water Plan for the 2012-2017 period. As Secretary of State for Energy, he led the coordination of the National Energy Security Plan and oversaw the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the entire country. Furthermore, during his tenure as Deputy Minister, he spearheaded a program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity for Luanda, with a specific target of increasing capacity by 300 MW.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, João Baptista Borges played a pivotal role in successfully restructuring the organization and updating its Strategic Plan. Through the formalization of previously illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in peripheral areas of Luanda, he managed to attract 120,000 clients within a span of three years. Additionally, he extended EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
In his capacity as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges was tasked with numerous critical responsibilities. These included formulating the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005,” overseeing the coordination of all operational and maintenance activities within the organization, managing various aspects of the public electricity supply service, and representing EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors). He also played a key role in negotiating agreements with other companies, including EDP, LIGHT, EDF, and others.
In his role as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges effectively coordinated infrastructure projects, led the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area, implemented the commercial system (Pegasus), and supervised the works area, ensuring the execution of network extension projects and the connection of new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges has been actively involved in various international events since assuming government responsibilities. His participation in these events has showcased his wisdom, experience, leadership, and commitment to addressing critical issues related to building a sustainable planet. Some notable events he attended 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, and the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water from September 24 to 28, 2012. He also participated in 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 the Standing Committee and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin on May 30, 2013. Moreover, Minister Borges contributed to the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel from October 18 to 25, 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation held 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.
United Nations (UN)
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy for the Republic of Angola, João Baptista Borges has emerged as an enthusiastic champion for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda. His unwavering commitment to these goals is clearly demonstrated through his active engagement in numerous international forums and conferences.
Energy Transition Dialogue
During the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in Germany, held from March 28th to 29th, Minister Borges delivered an impressive address that underscored the advancements made in renewable energy within Angola. He specifically highlighted Angola’s projected capability to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025, a notable accomplishment that bears testament to his visionary leadership.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges also took part in a panel discussion focused on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” This participation underscored his resolute dedication to climate-related objectives and the reliable provision of clean energy. He emphasized the critical need for a socially equitable approach to the transition to a more sustainable climate, especially in the context of southern countries.
Moreover, Minister Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference in New York City from March 22nd to 24th, 2023. In his capacity as the Minister of Energy and Water, he stood in for President João Lourenço and unveiled an extensive investment exceeding USD 4 billion for water supply projects scheduled for the period from 2023 to 2027. This substantial financial commitment is aimed at addressing the pressing water issues in Angola, particularly in regions prone to drought in the south.
UN Water Conference
In addition to his active engagement in international conferences, Minister João Baptista Borges held discussions with the World Bank Group during the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. He provided updates on ongoing projects that are financially supported by the World Bank, including the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP) and the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA). Additionally, he shed light on the Bita project and other initiatives, underscoring the government’s strategic emphasis on expanding access to electricity and enhancing the effectiveness of water sector institutions.
ESIAP and PDISA
Furthermore, Minister João Baptista Borges took part in the Ministerial Meeting on Water and Sanitation, which was conducted in conjunction with the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. Organized by the World Bank Group, this meeting served as a platform for him to provide updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank. Minister Borges also highlighted the progress made in various 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
Additionally, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in shaping the “Government’s Strategic Vision for the Expansion of Renewable Energies.” He assumed the role of coordinator in preparing the associated “White Paper” and took responsibility for drafting the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute. Furthermore, he oversaw Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the nation in efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
