Minister of Energy and Water
João Baptista Borges, born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Luanda province, is a distinguished Angolan academic and politician. Since 2011, he has been serving as the Minister of Energy and Water under the leadership of Presidents José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Since June 17, 1998, João Baptista Borges has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). He possesses fluency in English, French, and Spanish.
Education and Training
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. He obtained his degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University in 1991. Later, in 2011, he pursued a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career
After graduating 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 exceptional academic background led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering, Agostinho Neto University. Simultaneously, he held various positions such as Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1999, he assumed the role of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP. In 2000, he was appointed as the Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP until 2005. From 2002 to 2008, he served as the Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP. In recognition of his exceptional skills and accomplishments, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Secretary of State of Energy before being appointed as the Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to hold.
Governmental Experience
João Baptista Borges has an impressive history and proven expertise as both an engineer and politician, which led to his appointment as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008. He held this position until 2010 when he was promoted to Secretary of State of Energy. In 2011, he assumed the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he currently occupies.
Throughout 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, located in Luanda. The center’s primary mission is to coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency policies in the ECCAS region, while promoting an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services. The RCREEE receives support from influential organizations such as the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Minister Borges made a highly influential contribution to the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023). This forum brought together key stakeholders, including the Minister of the Environment, representatives from UNICEF, the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, and others. Minister Borges played a crucial role in achieving the objectives of this event.
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 industry, and shaping the Energy and Water Plan for the period 2012-2017. During his time as Secretary of State for Energy, Minister Borges led coordination efforts for the National Energy Security Plan and served as the coordinator of the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. Additionally, as Deputy Minister, he spearheaded a program focused on increasing power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, with a goal of adding 300 MW to the city’s grid.
In general, Minister João Baptista Borges has displayed exceptional leadership and played a pivotal role in shaping Angola’s energy and water sectors through various government positions.
During his time as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister João Baptista Borges led the restructuring efforts of the organization. He successfully updated the Strategic Plan and implemented initiatives that resulted in attracting 120,000 clients over a three-year period. This achievement was a direct outcome of formalizing illegal consumers and outsourcing services in the peripheral areas of Luanda. Additionally, he expanded EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
As Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a critical role in developing the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” He supervised the coordination of all operational and maintenance activities within EDEL, as well as managed various aspects related to public electricity supply services. Moreover, he represented EDEL in the African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors (UPDEA) and facilitated agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, and others.
In his position as Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges efficiently coordinated infrastructure projects and led the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area. He successfully introduced the commercial system known as Pegasus. Additionally, he supervised the works area of EDEL, which involved executing network extension projects and connecting new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges has actively participated in numerous international events, where he shared his wisdom, experience, and leadership to address critical issues related to building a sustainable planet. Noteworthy events he attended include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg (April 2012), the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation Situation in Angola and Namibia (February 2012), and the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water (September 2012). He also took part in 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, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin (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 (UN)
Minister João Baptista Borges, in his capacity as the Minister of Energy in the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a committed advocate for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
Energy Transition Dialogue
During the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held on March 28-29, Minister Borges made an outstanding contribution. He emphasized the remarkable advancements in renewable energy within Angola, a country on track to export environmentally friendly hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. While this achievement is a collective endeavor, it bears the distinct mark of Minister Borges as a visionary leader driving these objectives.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges actively engaged in a panel discussion on “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His participation showcased his deep dedication to climate objectives and ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy for an equitable transition, particularly in countries located in the southern regions.
UN Water Conference
Serving 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 to 24, 2023. On behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a substantial investment of over USD 4 billion in water supply projects for the period 2023-2027, with a specific focus on addressing the water challenges faced by the southern regions of Angola. Minister Borges eloquently portrayed the hardships endured by these areas, characterized by recurrent droughts leading to population displacement and ecological disruptions with profound human and material consequences.
ESIAP and PDISA
Minister João Baptista Borges also took part in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers, organized by the World Bank Group alongside the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During this gathering, he provided updates on the progress of ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and highlighted specific initiatives, 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 addition to his ministerial duties, Minister Borges played a pivotal role as the coordinator of the government’s “White Paper,” which outlines the strategic vision for expanding renewable energies. He also oversaw the development of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute, ensuring a robust framework for effective governance in these sectors. Furthermore, he assumed the responsibility of Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the country in this global organization committed to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
