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, serving as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, during the presidencies of 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. Additionally, he is fluent in three foreign languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Training and Education
João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Subsequently, in 1991, he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the esteemed Agostinho Neto University. He further pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the renowned Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal, completing it in 2011.
Professional Career
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista began his career in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. Due to his inclination for teaching and his remarkable academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this time, 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 was appointed Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a role he occupied until 1999. In 2000, he assumed the position of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, which he held until 2005. Subsequently, in 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP until 2008 when he became Deputy Minister of Energy due to his exceptional merits and capabilities.
Governmental Experience
Given his outstanding 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 was appointed Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to hold.
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 renewable energy and energy efficiency policies of ECCAS and promote 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 Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO).
[The photo caption states: “The creation of FONAS aims to foster enhanced collaboration between the Government and development actors at all levels, ultimately benefiting the people of Angola.” Ministry of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges]
Minister Borges played a decisive and important role in the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – March 17, 2023), where he was present alongside the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, among others. His intervention was instrumental in achieving the event’s objectives.
During his tenure as Minister, João Baptista Borges assumed several key responsibilities. He led the efforts in restructuring the state’s business sector and played a pivotal role in developing the legal and regulatory framework for the energy and water sector. Additionally, he was instrumental in formulating the Energy and Water Plan for the period of 2012-2017.
As Secretary of State for Energy, his responsibilities included coordinating the preparation of the National Energy Security Plan. Furthermore, he served as the coordinator of the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the entire country, focusing on enhancing the ability to generate electricity.
In his capacity as Deputy Minister, one of his notable achievements was overseeing the coordination of a program aimed at bolstering power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, with a target of 300 MW.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, João Baptista Borges spearheaded the restructuring of the organization and updated its Strategic Plan. Through the formalization of illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in peripheral areas of Luanda, he successfully attracted 120,000 clients within a span of three years. Additionally, he played a key role in expanding the coverage area of EDEL to include the province of Bengo.
As Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges took charge of various crucial responsibilities. He was responsible for formulating the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005” and effectively coordinated all operational and maintenance activities of the organization. He also managed a wide range of tasks related to public electricity supply services, including representing EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors) and establishing agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, and EDF.
In his role as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges demonstrated exemplary coordination skills by overseeing all infrastructure projects of EDEL. He successfully managed the restructuring process of the organization’s commercial area and implemented the Pegasus commercial system. Moreover, he effectively coordinated the works area of EDEL, 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 joining the government. 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 22 to 25 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 from 24 to 28 September 2012. He also took part in the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo on 27 June 2013, the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector on 30 May 2013, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin on 30 May 2013. Additionally, he contributed to the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel from 18 to 25 October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation held in Dushanbe/Tajikistan on 20 and 21 August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission on 10-11 March 2014.
United Nations (UN)
João Baptista Borges, the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a dedicated advocate for the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. His commitment to achieving these goals has been unwavering and has earned him recognition on various global platforms.
Energy Transition Dialogue
At the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in Germany, held on March 28-29, Minister Borges showcased Angola’s progress in renewable energies. He highlighted the country’s significant achievement of being able to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This remarkable milestone, which represents a collective effort, is credited to Borges’ leadership and strategic vision.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Furthermore, Minister Borges actively participated in a panel discussion on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” This engagement demonstrated his commitment to climate goals and the secure supply of clean energy for a climate transition, particularly in southern countries. He emphasized the importance of implementing such transitions in a socially just manner.
UN Water Conference
As the Minister of Energy and Water, Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference in New York City from March 22-24, 2023. In this role, he represented President João Lourenço and announced a substantial investment of over USD 4 billion for the period of 2023-2027. This investment aims to address the water situation in the country, particularly in the drought-affected regions of the south. Borges eloquently expressed the challenges faced by these regions and emphasized the need to take immediate action.
In addition to his international engagements, Minister João Baptista Borges participated in a meeting of Ministers of Water and Sanitation organized by the World Bank Group, which took place during the UN Water Conference. During this meeting, he provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and discussed projects currently underway, including the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP), the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA), and the Bita project.
ESIAP and PDISA
Moreover, Borges played a significant role in shaping Angola’s strategic vision for renewable energy expansion. He coordinated the preparation of the “White Paper” outlining the government’s strategic vision and was responsible for drafting the statute of the Ministry of Energy and Water. Additionally, he served as the head of Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the country in matters related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons proliferation prevention.
Strategic Vision of the Government
Minister João Baptista Borges’ active involvement in international conferences and his dedication to sustainable development goals have positioned him as a prominent leader in the energy and water sector. His contributions to the global dialogue on energy transition, decarbonization, water supply, and renewable energy expansion have been instrumental in shaping policies and driving positive change in Angola and beyond.
