Minister of Energy and Water
Minister João Baptista Borges, a distinguished academic and seasoned politician, has held the position of Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, serving under both the presidencies of José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality situated within 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 longstanding member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), a role he has held since June 17, 1998. He possesses fluency in English, French, and Spanish.
Education and Training
Concerning his educational background, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Subsequently, in 1991, he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from the esteemed Agostinho Neto University. Later, in 2011, he pursued and successfully attained a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the renowned Nova University of Lisbon in Portugal.
Professional Path
Borges commenced his professional journey in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, where he worked until 1992. His passion for teaching and exceptional academic achievements led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this period, he held various positions, including his role as the Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he assumed the position of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a role he held until 1999. In 2000, he furthered his career by taking on the role of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2005. Subsequently, in 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, a role he held until 2008.
Governmental Experience
Borges’ remarkable merits and capabilities led to his appointment as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. Following this role, he was elevated to the position of Secretary of State for Energy, where he served until 2011 when he assumed his current role as Minister of Energy and Water.
During his tenure, 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.
He 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 time in office, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in restructuring the state’s business sector, developing the legal and regulatory framework for the energy and water sectors, and shaping the Energy and Water Plan for the period 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 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 increasing capacity by 300 MW.
Chairmanship of EDEL and Key Roles
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.
Active International Involvement
Minister João Baptista Borges has been actively involved 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)
In his capacity as the Minister of Energy for the Republic of Angola, Minister João Baptista Borges has emerged as a tireless advocate for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.
Energy Transition Dialogue
Minister Borges made a significant contribution to the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, which took place on March 28-29. His participation in the event was exceptional, shedding light on the impressive strides made in renewable energy within Angola. Under his guidance and visionary leadership, Angola aspires to become a green hydrogen exporter in the form of ammonia by 2025—an impressive achievement that distinctly reflects his leadership and forward-thinking approach.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges also actively engaged in a panel discussion centered on the “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” This showcased his genuine commitment to climate-related goals and ensuring a reliable supply of clean energy for a seamless transition, particularly in countries of the global South. His active involvement underscored his dedication to implementing climate goals 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, held in New York City from March 22-24, 2023. Acting on behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a substantial investment exceeding USD 4 billion for the 2023-2027 period to tackle the water challenges faced by the nation, particularly in the southern regions. His impactful remarks during the global forum resonated with all attendees, acknowledging the recurring difficulties experienced in the southern regions, characterized by prolonged droughts resulting in population displacement and severe hardships.
ESIAP and PDISA
Furthermore, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated, having been invited by the World Bank Group, in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers held on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During this meeting, he delivered 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 assumed a leadership role in coordinating the development of the “White Paper,” which outlines the government’s strategic vision for the expansion of 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.
