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. His current residence is in Maianga, Luanda. Borges is a highly respected Angolan scholar and politician, who has been in the role of Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, serving under 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. Furthermore, he is proficient in three foreign languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Education and Training
João Baptista Borges successfully completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Subsequently, in 1991, he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University. His academic journey continued with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, which he attained at the renowned Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal in 2011.
Professional Journey
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista embarked on his civil service career as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, where he served until 1992. His passion for teaching and remarkable academic achievements led him to a teaching position at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this period, he imparted knowledge in subjects such as Technology of Electrical Materials I and II. Simultaneously, he took on various roles, including the position of Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he assumed the role of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 1999. In 2000, he transitioned to the position of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, where he remained until 2005. His exemplary performance led to his promotion to the role of Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP in 2002, a position he held until 2008 when his exceptional merits and capabilities earned him the appointment as Deputy Minister of Energy.
Governmental Experience
Owing to his outstanding track record as an engineer and politician, João Baptista Borges assumed the role of Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, which he held until 2010. Subsequently, he was promoted to the position of Secretary of State for Energy, serving in this capacity until 2011 when he assumed the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to occupy.
During his tenure, Minister Borges actively participated in significant events and initiatives. He played a pivotal role 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 within ECCAS and promote an integrated and inclusive ECCAS market for related products and services. RCREEE enjoys support from influential organizations such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO).
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.
As Minister of Energy and Water, he took on the responsibility of restructuring the state’s business sector, 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 passionate advocate for the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. His steadfast commitment to achieving these goals has earned him recognition on various global platforms.
Energy Transition Dialogue
During the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue in Germany, which took place on March 28-29, Minister Borges showcased Angola’s remarkable progress in the realm of renewable energies. He underscored the significant achievement of Angola, which is on track to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This noteworthy milestone, achieved through collaborative efforts, bears the unmistakable imprint of Borges’ leadership and strategic vision.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Additionally, Minister Borges actively engaged in a panel discussion focused on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His active participation vividly demonstrated his dedication to climate goals and ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy for a climate transition, particularly in regions of the world, like southern countries, that face unique challenges. He emphasized the critical importance of executing these transitions in a socially equitable manner.
UN Water Conference
In his capacity 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 exceeding USD 4 billion for the period from 2023 to 2027. The primary objective of this investment is to address the pressing water issues in the country, especially in the drought-stricken regions of the south. Borges eloquently articulated the formidable challenges faced by these regions and stressed the urgency of taking immediate action.
In addition to his international engagements, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in a meeting of Ministers of Water and Sanitation organized by the World Bank Group, which was convened during the UN Water Conference. During this gathering, he provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and engaged in discussions about projects that are currently in progress. These initiatives include the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP), the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA), and the Bita project.
ESIAP and PDISA
Furthermore, Borges played a pivotal role in shaping Angola’s strategic vision for the expansion of renewable energy. He led the coordination of the “White Paper” outlining the government’s strategic vision and took responsibility for drafting the statute of the Ministry of Energy and Water. Additionally, he assumed the leadership 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 the prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation.
Strategic Vision of the Government
Minister João Baptista Borges’ active involvement in international conferences and his unwavering commitment to sustainable development goals have firmly established him as a prominent leader in the energy and water sector. His contributions to the global discourse on energy transition, decarbonization, water supply, and the expansion of renewable energy have played a pivotal role in shaping policies and driving positive transformations not only in Angola but also on a broader international scale.
