Minister of Energy and Water
João Baptista Borges, a prominent figure in the academic and political landscape of Angola, has built a noteworthy career. He was born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Luanda province. He is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva and currently resides in Maianga, Luanda. Serving as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, he has held this position during the presidencies of both José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Since June 17, 1998, he has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). Notably, he is proficient in English, French, and Spanish, in addition to his native language.
Training and Education
João Baptista Borges’ educational journey includes completing an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. In 1991, he achieved a degree in Electrical Engineering from the esteemed Agostinho Neto University. Furthermore, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career
Commencing his professional career in the civil service, João Baptista Borges worked as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate from 1991 to 1992. His passion for teaching, coupled with his outstanding academic background, led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this tenure, he taught courses such as Technology of Electrical Materials I and II, while simultaneously assuming various roles. Notably, from 1991 to 1993, he served as the Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP. His career trajectory then saw him appointed as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP in 1999. In 2000, he took on the position of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, a role he held until 2005. His leadership continued to evolve, and in 2002, he ascended to the role of Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, a position he occupied until 2008. It was in this year that he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy, followed by his appointment as Secretary of State for Energy in 2010. Finally, in 2011, he assumed the position of Minister of Energy and Water, a role he continues to serve in.
Governmental Experience
Throughout his illustrious career, João Baptista Borges has been an active participant in several significant events. For instance, he attended the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Luanda. The center’s mission is to coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency policies in the ECCAS region.
His contributions have extended to the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023), where his involvement played a pivotal role in achieving the forum’s objectives. As Minister, he has been entrusted with numerous crucial responsibilities, including the restructuring of the state’s business sector, the development of the legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector, and the formulation of the Energy and Water Plan for the period from 2012 to 2017. In his capacity as Secretary of State for Energy, he led the coordination of the National Energy Security Plan and assumed the role of coordinator for the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity nationwide. Furthermore, as Deputy Minister, he oversaw the program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity in Luanda, with a specific focus on achieving a 300 MW capacity increase.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges successfully executed the restructuring of the organization. His efforts resulted in the revision of the Strategic Plan, contributing to significant achievements such as the attraction of 120,000 clients within a span of three years. This accomplishment was realized through the formalization of previously illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in peripheral areas of Luanda. Additionally, he expanded EDEL’s operational coverage to include the Bengo province.
In his role as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in the development of the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” He effectively coordinated all operational and maintenance activities of the company, managed various aspects related to public electricity supply services, and represented EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors). Furthermore, he was instrumental in negotiating agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, among others.
As Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges efficiently coordinated infrastructure projects and spearheaded the restructuring of the commercial area, introducing the commercial system known as Pegasus. He also oversaw EDEL’s works area, which encompassed the execution of network extension projects and the connection of new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges has been an active participant in numerous international events, where he has had the opportunity to share his wisdom, experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to addressing critical issues related to the creation of a sustainable planet. Some noteworthy events in which he participated include 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 contributed to 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, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM on May 30, 2013. Additionally, he attended the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel in October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission in March 2014.
United Nations (UN)
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy for the Republic of Angola, João Baptista Borges has emerged as a committed proponent of realizing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Energy Transition Dialogue
During the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, held from March 28 to 29, Minister Borges actively engaged and delivered an impressive address highlighting the strides made in renewable energy within Angola. His visionary leadership has significantly contributed to positioning Angola as a prospective exporter of green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by the year 2025, a noteworthy milestone.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges further underscored his dedication to climate objectives and the provision of clean energy for a seamless transition in a panel discussion on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His participation exemplified his commitment to ensuring the equitable implementation of climate goals, especially in regions of the world, particularly in the Global South.
UN Water Conference
In his role as the Minister of Energy and Water, Minister Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference in New York City, held from March 22 to 24, 2023. Acting on behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a substantial investment exceeding USD 4 billion in water supply infrastructure for the country, with a specific emphasis on addressing water scarcity challenges in the southern regions. Minister Borges eloquently articulated the difficulties faced by regions prone to cyclic droughts, resulting in population displacement and the migration of livestock, leading to significant human and material hardships.
ESIAP and PDISA
Additionally, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers, organized by the World Bank Group in conjunction with the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. He provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and deliberated on initiatives such as the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP), the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA), and the Bita project.
Strategic Vision of the Government Significantly, Minister Borges assumed a pivotal role in coordinating the development of the “White Paper,” which delineates the government’s strategic vision for the expansion of renewable energies. He also spearheaded the drafting of the statute for the Ministry of Energy and Water. Furthermore, he assumed the responsibility of leading Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the nation in global endeavors aimed at promoting the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and averting the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
