Minister of Energy and Water:
Minister João Baptista Borges, born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Luanda province, is a distinguished Angolan scholar and politician. He currently resides in Maianga, Luanda, and is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. Borges has held the position of Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, serving under Presidents José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. Additionally, he has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since June 17, 1998. He possesses multilingual capabilities, being fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Educational Background
João Baptista Borges successfully finished an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Following that, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University in 1991. He furthered his academic pursuits by achieving a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal, in 2011.
Professional Journey:
After completing his degree in 1991, João Baptista embarked on a career in the public sector as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, where he worked until 1992. His passion for teaching and exceptional academic background eventually led to his appointment as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this period, he concurrently held various positions, including serving as the Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1999, he took on the role of Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2000 when he assumed the responsibilities of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP. His tenure as Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP commenced in 2002 and continued until 2008, at which point he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy due to his exceptional merits and capabilities.
Governmental Experience:
Due to his remarkable track record as both an engineer and a politician, João Baptista Borges was appointed as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was subsequently promoted to the role of Secretary of State for Energy, which he occupied until 2011 when he assumed the position of Minister of Energy and Water, a role he continues to serve in.
During his tenure, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in the Municipality of Viana, Luanda. The center’s primary mission is to coordinate policies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency within the ECCAS region and foster an integrated and inclusive market for relevant products and services. Supported by both the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the RCREEE plays a pivotal role in advancing these crucial areas.
Minister João Baptista Borges also played a decisive and influential role at the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023). With the participation of key figures such as the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and representatives from esteemed institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union, and more, his intervention was instrumental in achieving the forum’s objectives.
During his term as Minister, he assumed the responsibility of restructuring the state’s business sector, formulating the legal and regulatory framework for the sector, and crafting the Energy and Water Plan for the period of 2012-2017. While serving as Secretary of State for Energy, he oversaw the development of the National Energy Security Plan and acted as the coordinator for the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the entire country. Additionally, in his role as Deputy Minister, he led the coordination of a program aimed at enhancing power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, targeting a significant increase of 300 MW.
While serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges took on the responsibility of organizing and executing the restructuring of the organization. He also updated the Strategic Plan, resulting in the formalization of previously illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in the peripheral areas of Luanda. This initiative attracted an impressive 120,000 clients within a span of just three years. Furthermore, he expanded EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
In his role as the Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in the development of the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005.” His responsibilities included coordinating all operation and maintenance activities of EDEL, overseeing various aspects of the public electricity supply service, and representing EDEL in the UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors). Additionally, he facilitated agreements and collaborations with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, and EDF.
As the Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, Minister Borges had oversight of all infrastructure projects. He played a crucial role in coordinating the restructuring process of EDEL’s commercial area and introduced the commercial system known as “Pegasus.” Moreover, he managed the works area of EDEL, which included the execution of network extension projects and client connections.
Since assuming his governmental role, Minister João Baptista Borges has been an active participant in numerous international events, where he has shared his knowledge, experience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to addressing the critical challenges of building a sustainable planet. Some noteworthy events he has been involved in include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg in April 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 in September 2012. Additionally, he took part in the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo in June 2013, the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector in May 2013, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM and the Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin, also in May 2013. Furthermore, he attended the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel in October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission in March 2014.
United Nations (UN): João Baptista Borges, in his capacity 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: He actively participated in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held on March 28-29, where his contribution was highly impressive. He highlighted the significant progress Angola has made in renewable energy, particularly in the sector’s ability to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This accomplishment, although a collective effort, bears the mark of Borges as a visionary leader responsible for achieving these objectives.
Decarbonisation of Industry: Minister Borges also took part in a panel discussion on “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His involvement demonstrated his dedication and commitment to climate objectives, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a secure supply of clean energy for a climate transition that can be implemented in a socially equitable manner, especially in developing countries.
UN Water Conference: In his role as Minister of Energy and Water, he 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, Minister Borges announced an 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 remarks at the World Forum resonated with the attendees, highlighting the cyclical droughts in the southern regions and the resulting challenges faced by the population and wildlife migrations, which come at a significant human and material cost.
ESIAP and PDISA: Minister João Baptista Borges also participated, by invitation of the World Bank Group, in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers held alongside the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. He provided an update on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and discussed projects currently underway, 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: As the coordinator of the “White Paper” outlining the “Strategic Vision of the Government for the expansion of renewable energies,” Minister Borges played a crucial role in shaping this vision. Additionally, he led the drafting of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute. Furthermore, he assumed responsibility for the National Liaison Office (NLO) of Angola to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This office represents Angola in the IAEA, a global organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing nuclear weapon proliferation.
