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. Currently residing in Maianga, Luanda, he is a distinguished Angolan academic and politician who has served as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, working under Presidents José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Additionally, he has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since June 17, 1998. Borges is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Training and Education:
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. Later in 1991, he graduated 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, which he completed in 2011.
Professional Career:
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista began his civil service career as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. Leveraging his passion for teaching and remarkable academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering in Agostinho Neto University, where he taught courses such as Technology of Electrical Materials I and II. Simultaneously, he held various other 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, where he remained until 1999. He became Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP in 2000, holding the position until 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, a role he fulfilled until 2008 when he assumed the position of 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 Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was then promoted to Secretary of State of Energy, serving in that capacity until 2011 when he was appointed Minister of Energy and Water, a role 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 in ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) 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 Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
[The caption accompanying the photo affirms that the establishment of FONAS will foster increasingly collaborative efforts between the Government and development agents at every level, with the aim of benefiting the population of Angola. Ministry of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges] His involvement in the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023) was crucial, featuring the presence of the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, among others. His contribution played a key role in achieving the objectives of the event. As Minister, he spearheaded the restructuring of the state’s business sector, developed the legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector, and formulated the Energy and Water Plan 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 oversaw the coordination of the program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity for Luanda (300 MW).
During his term as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges effectively led the reorganization of the institution and modernized its Strategic Plan. This resulted in EDEL attracting 120,000 new clients within a span of three years, achieved by formalizing illegal consumers and outsourcing services in peripheral areas of Luanda, while also expanding its service coverage to include the Bengo province.
In his capacity as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges was tasked with formulating the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” He adeptly oversaw all operational and maintenance activities within EDEL, managed various aspects of the public electricity supply service, represented EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors), and established cooperative agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, and more.
As Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL-EP, Minister Borges took charge of coordinating infrastructure projects, spearheading the restructuring of the commercial sector, introducing the commercial system (Pegasus), and managing the works division, which included overseeing projects for network expansion and the connection of new clients.
Since assuming government responsibilities, Minister João Baptista Borges has been an active participant in numerous international events, sharing his knowledge, experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to crucial issues related to global sustainability. Notably, he attended 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 engaged 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, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin on May 30, 2013. Furthermore, 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.
United Nations (UN) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, João Baptista Borges has emerged as a steadfast advocate for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
Energy Transition Dialogue •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Minister Borges actively engaged in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, held on March 28-29, where he delivered an outstanding speech highlighting Angola’s advancements in renewable energies. He underscored the nation’s potential to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025, an achievement that reflects Borges’ leadership and strategic thinking in pursuing these objectives.
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 demonstrated his unwavering dedication and commitment to climate goals, particularly in providing clean energy to facilitate a just transition, especially in southern countries.
UN Water Conference •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
As the Minister of Energy and Water, 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, he announced a significant investment exceeding USD 4 billion for the five-year period from 2023 to 2027, with a particular focus on addressing water supply challenges in the country, especially in the southern regions. His remarks resonated with the World Forum audience as he expressed concern, stating, “Despite Angola’s abundant water resources, certain southern regions face recurring droughts, resulting in population displacement and adverse impacts on both humans and animals.”
ESIAP and PDISA ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Minister João Baptista Borges also participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers, held concurrently with the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. Invited by the World Bank Group, 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 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
In his role as the coordinator, Minister Borges played a pivotal part in developing the “White Paper” outlining the government’s strategic vision for expanding renewable energies. Furthermore, he led the coordination of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute drafting process. Additionally, he assumed the responsibility of representing Angola as the National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), actively participating in the global organization’s efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent nuclear weapon proliferation.
