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 who has served as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, working 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. 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. In 1991, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the renowned Agostinho Neto University. Later, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Nova University in Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista started 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 exceptional academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering in Agostinho Neto University. During this time, he taught courses on Technology of Electrical Materials I and II. Simultaneously, he held various positions such as 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 position he held until 1999. In 2000, he became the Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, serving in this role until 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP until 2008 when he assumed the position of Deputy Minister of Energy. His exceptional merits and capabilities led him to be appointed as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was subsequently promoted to Secretary of State of Energy, a role he served in until 2011 when he became the Minister of Energy and Water, a position he holds to this day.
Governmental Experience
With his impressive professional background as an engineer and politician, João Baptista Borges has held several significant positions within the Angolan government. In 2008, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy, and he continued in this role until 2010 when he was promoted to Secretary of State of Energy. In 2011, he was appointed as the Minister of Energy and Water, a position he has maintained.
Notable Contributions and Engagements Minister Borges actively participated in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Luanda’s Municipality of Viana. The center aims to coordinate the renewable energy and energy efficiency policies of the ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) and promote an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services within the region. The RCREEE receives support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Throughout his tenure as Minister, Borges spearheaded the restructuring of the state’s business sector, the development of the sector’s legal and regulatory framework, and the formulation of the Energy and Water Plan for 2012-2017. During his time as Secretary of State for Energy, he led the coordination of the National Energy Security Plan and served as the coordinator of the program aimed at strengthening the country’s generation capacity. As Deputy Minister, he oversaw the program to enhance power generation capacity for Luanda, resulting in an additional 300 MW.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges undertook the restructuring of the organization, updated its Strategic Plan, and successfully attracted 120,000 clients within three years by formalizing illegal consumers and outsourcing services in peripheral areas of Luanda. Furthermore, he expanded EDEL’s coverage to include the Bengo province.
While serving as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in preparing the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” He coordinated all operational and maintenance activities of EDEL, managed various aspects related to public electricity supply services, represented EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors), and established agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, and EDF.
As Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges led the coordination of infrastructure projects, oversaw the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area, introduced the commercial system (Pegasus), and supervised the execution of network extension works and the connection of new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in numerous international events, representing Angola and contributing his wisdom, experience, leadership, and dedication to the pressing issues concerning the creation of a sustainable planet. Noteworthy engagements include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg (April 2012), the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation in Angola and Namibia (February 2012), the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water (September 2012), the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo (June 2013), the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector (May 2013), the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM (May 2013), the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel (October 2013), the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (August 2013), and the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission (March 2014).
United Nations (ONU)
João Baptista Borges, desde su cargo como Ministro de Energía de la República de Angola, se ha convertido en un incansable defensor de alcanzar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 de las Naciones Unidas (ONU).
Diálogo sobre Transición Energética
Participó en el 9º Diálogo sobre Transición Energética de Berlín (Alemania), celebrado del 28 al 29 de marzo. Su intervención en el evento fue magistral, haciendo hincapié en el progreso de las energías renovables en este sector en Angola, un país que podrá exportar hidrógeno verde en forma de amoníaco para el año 2025, un logro que, aunque representa un esfuerzo colectivo, lleva la marca distintiva de Borges como líder y cerebro responsable de alcanzar estos objetivos.
Decarbonisation of Industry
João Baptista Borges, as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a tireless advocate for achieving the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda.
UN Water Conference
He actively participated in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held in Germany on March 28-29. During his intervention, Minister Borges eloquently emphasized the remarkable progress of renewable energies in Angola. Notably, Angola aims to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025, an achievement that reflects Borges’ leadership and strategic thinking.
Minister Borges also took part in a panel discussion on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His involvement demonstrated his dedication and commitment to climate goals, ensuring the supply of clean energy for a climate transition, with a particular focus on achieving social justice, especially in southern countries.
Furthermore, as 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. On behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a significant investment of over USD 4 billion for water supply projects over the five-year period from 2023 to 2027. The investment aims to address the water situation in Angola, particularly in the southern regions, which are cyclically affected by prolonged droughts, leading to significant challenges for the local population and wildlife.
ESIAP and PDISA
In addition, Minister João Baptista Borges participated in a meeting of Ministers of Water and Sanitation, organized on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Water – UN2023, by invitation of the World Bank Group. During the meeting, he provided an overview of ongoing projects funded by the World Bank, including 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
Minister Borges played a crucial role in coordinating the preparation of the “White Paper” that outlines the Strategic Vision of the Government for the expansion of renewable energies. He also took charge of drafting the statute for the Ministry of Energy and Water. Additionally, Minister Borges assumed responsibility for Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The NLO represents Angola at the IAEA, a global organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
