Minister of Energy and Water
Minister João Baptista Borges, a respected academic and politician, has been serving as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, under the presidencies of José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Luanda province, he is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. Currently, he resides in Maianga, Luanda. Borges is a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since June 17, 1998, and possesses fluency in English, French, and Spanish.
Training and Education
In terms of education, João Baptista Borges pursued an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Subsequently, in 1991, he obtained a degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University. Later, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the esteemed Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal.
Professional Career
Borges began his professional career in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. His passion for teaching and exceptional academic background led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering of Agostinho Neto University. During this time, he also held various positions, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he became the Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, where he served until 1999. In 2000, he took on the role of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, serving until 2008.
Governmental Experience
Subsequently, due to his exceptional merits and capabilities, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was then promoted to Secretary of State for Energy until 2011 when he assumed his current role as Minister of Energy and Water.
Minister Borges actively participated in significant events related to the energy and water sectors. Notably, he attended the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Luanda, which focuses on coordinating renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and promoting an inclusive market for related products and services in the ECCAS region.
[The caption for the photo states: “By establishing FONAS, the Government and development agents at every level will cultivate a more robust collaboration to promote the welfare of the Angolan population.” Ministry of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges]
He has also played a crucial role in key forums and conferences, such as the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023), where his contributions were instrumental in achieving the event’s objectives.
Throughout his tenure, Minister Borges has been instrumental in restructuring the state’s business sector, developing the legal and regulatory framework of the energy and water sectors, and defining the Energy and Water Plan 2012-2017. As Secretary of State for Energy, he coordinated the preparation of the National Energy Security Plan and oversaw the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. Additionally, during his time as Deputy Minister, he led the program to enhance power generation capacity for Luanda, specifically targeting a capacity increase of 300 MW.
Minister João Baptista Borges’ extensive experience, expertise, and leadership have made a significant impact on Angola’s energy and water sectors, contributing to their development, sustainability, and overall progress.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister João Baptista Borges successfully led the restructuring process of the organization. He played a pivotal role in updating the Strategic Plan, resulting in the attraction of 120,000 clients within a three-year period. This achievement was made possible through the formalization of previously illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in peripheral areas of Luanda. Furthermore, under his leadership, EDEL expanded its coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
As Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges was responsible for crucial initiatives. He oversaw the development of the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005” and coordinated all operational and maintenance activities within the organization. Additionally, he handled various responsibilities related to the public electricity supply service, such as representing EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors) and establishing agreements with other companies, including EDP, LIGHT, and EDF.
In his role as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges took charge of coordinating infrastructure projects and overseeing the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area. He also 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 actively participated in numerous international events since assuming government responsibilities. His presence at these gatherings has allowed him to share his wisdom, experience, leadership, and commitment to critical issues surrounding the creation of a sustainable planet. Noteworthy events 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 has also been involved 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 participated in 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 was a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission on March 10 and 11, 2014.
United Nations (UN)
Minister João Baptista Borges, in his role as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a relentless advocate for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
Energy Transition Dialogue
Minister Borges actively participated in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, held on March 28-29. His contribution to the event was exceptional, highlighting the remarkable progress of renewable energy in Angola. Under his leadership and strategic vision, Angola aims to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025, which is a significant accomplishment that bears his imprint as a leader and visionary.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges also joined the panel discussion on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” This demonstrated his genuine concern and dedication to climate objectives and the secure supply of clean energy for a smooth transition, particularly in southern countries. His active engagement showcased his commitment to achieving a socially equitable implementation of climate goals.
UN Water Conference
As the Minister of Energy and Water, Minister Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference held in New York City from March 22-24, 2023. Acting on behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a substantial investment of over USD 4 billion for the period 2023-2027 to address the water situation in the country, particularly in the southern regions. His poignant words during the World Forum resonated with all attendees, acknowledging the cyclically affected regions in the south, plagued by prolonged droughts leading to population displacement and significant hardships.
ESIAP and PDISA
Minister João Baptista Borges also actively participated, upon invitation by the World Bank Group, in the meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During the meeting, 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
Minister João Baptista Borges took on the role of coordinating the development of the “White Paper” that outlines the government’s strategic vision for expanding renewable energies. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in overseeing the drafting of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute. Furthermore, Minister Borges was entrusted with the responsibility of heading Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The NLO serves as Angola’s representative within the IAEA, a global organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
