Minister of Energy and Water
Born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Luanda province, João Baptista Borges is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. His current residence is in Maianga, Luanda.
Borges is a highly regarded Angolan scholar and politician who has held the position of Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, serving under the administrations of 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, and possesses fluency in three foreign languages: English, French, and Spanish.
Education and Training
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. Subsequently, in 1991, he graduated with 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 renowned Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Journey
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista embarked on a civil service career as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, a role he held until 1992. His passion for teaching and remarkable academic background led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. Concurrently, he held various positions, including 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, where he remained until 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. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, serving until 2008 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy due to his outstanding merits and capabilities.
Governmental Experience
Due to his outstanding track record as both an engineer and a politician, João Baptista Borges assumed the role of Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. Subsequently, he was promoted to the position of Secretary of State for Energy, which he occupied until 2011 when he took on the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to hold to this day.
His contributions extended to the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in the Municipality of Viana, Luanda. The central mission of this facility is to coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency policies within the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and promote an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services across the region. Notably, RCREEE receives support from both the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Minister João Baptista Borges played an instrumental role at the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS) held on March 17, 2023. This event was graced by the presence of the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and delegates from esteemed organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the European Union, among others. His active participation and intervention were pivotal in achieving the event’s objectives.
Throughout his tenure as Minister, Borges has undertaken significant responsibilities, including the restructuring of the state’s business sector, the development of the legal and regulatory framework for the energy and water sector, and the formulation of the Energy and Water Plan spanning the period from 2012 to 2017. During his service as Secretary of State for Energy, he coordinated the preparation of the National Energy Security Plan and led the coordination of the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. In his capacity as Deputy Minister, he spearheaded the program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity for Luanda, resulting in an additional 300 MW of power.
As Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges took on the task of orchestrating and executing the entity’s restructuring efforts. He also updated the Strategic Plan, expanding EDEL’s reach to include the province of Bengo. By formalizing previously illegal consumers and outsourcing services in peripheral areas of Luanda, EDEL successfully attracted 120,000 new clients within a span of just three years.
While serving as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in formulating the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” His responsibilities encompassed the coordination of all operational and maintenance activities at EDEL, management of various facets of the public electricity supply service, representation of EDEL in the African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors (UPDEA), and the establishment of crucial agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, and more.
In his capacity as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges assumed oversight of infrastructure projects, steered the restructuring process within the commercial sector, introduced the commercial system known as “Pegasus,” and managed the works area, including 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 shared his wisdom, experience, leadership, and commitment to the critical challenges of building a sustainable planet. Some noteworthy events he has been involved in include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum held in Hamburg from April 22 to 25, 2012, the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation Situation in Angola and Namibia in February 2012, the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water held from September 24 to 28, 2012, 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 Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin, also held on May 30, 2013. Additionally, 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):
João Baptista Borges, the Minister of Energy for the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a dedicated advocate for the realization of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Energy Transition Dialogue:
At the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, held from March 28 to 29, Minister Borges actively participated and delivered a highly impactful address. He underscored the remarkable progress made in renewable energy in Angola, positioning the country to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This achievement, born from a collaborative effort, bears the distinctive influence of Borges as a leader and visionary driving these objectives.
Decarbonisation of Industry:
Minister Borges also engaged in a panel discussion titled “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His participation showcased his unwavering dedication and commitment to climate goals, ensuring a secure supply of clean energy for a seamless transition, with particular attention to Southern countries. He emphasized the importance of implementing these measures in a socially equitable manner.
UN Water Conference:
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy and Water, Minister Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference, which convened in New York City from March 22 to 24, 2023. On behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a substantial investment exceeding USD 4 billion for the five-year period from 2023 to 2027, specifically targeting the water situation in Angola, with a particular emphasis on the southern regions. His eloquent words deeply resonated with attendees at the World Forum, expressing concerns about recurrent droughts in the south leading to population displacement and significant human and material sacrifices, despite Angola’s abundance of water resources.
ESIAP and PDISA:
Minister João Baptista Borges also participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers organized by the World Bank Group on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During this meeting, he provided updates on ongoing projects financed by the World Bank and engaged in discussions regarding projects currently underway, 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 pivotal role as the coordinator in preparing the “White Paper,” outlining the “Strategic Vision of the Government for the expansion of renewable energies.” He also led the coordination of drafting the statute for the Ministry of Energy and Water. Additionally, he assumed responsibility for Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the country at this global organization with a primary focus on promoting peaceful nuclear energy use and preventing nuclear weapons proliferation.
