Minister João Baptista Borges, born on January 4, 1964, in Ingombota, a municipality in the metropolitan area of Luanda province, is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. Currently residing in Maianga, Luanda, he is a highly respected Angolan academic and politician who has been serving as the Minister of Energy and Water since 2011, 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. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, he possesses excellent language skills.
Training and Education
In 1983, João Baptista Borges completed an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute. He obtained a 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 started his career in the civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate, serving until 1992. Due to his passion for teaching and exceptional academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. Simultaneously, he held various positions, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1999, he became Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2000. From 2000 to 2005, he served as Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, a role he held until 2008. His remarkable achievements and abilities led to his appointment as Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. Subsequently, he served as Secretary of State of Energy until 2011 when he assumed the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he currently holds.
Governmental Experience
João Baptista Borges, renowned for his impressive engineering and political skills, began his journey in government 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 was appointed as Minister of Energy and Water, a role he continues to serve to this day.
During his term, Minister Borges played a substantial role in various significant initiatives. He actively participated in the inaugural event of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Luanda’s Municipality of Viana. The center aims to coordinate policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency within the ECCAS region, fostering an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services. Supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development (UNIDO), RCREEE plays a vital role in advancing sustainable energy practices.
In addition, Minister Borges made a decisive and impactful contribution to the National Water and Sanitation Forum (FONAS – 17/03/2023). This forum, attended by influential figures such as the Minister of the Environment, UNICEF representative Andrew Trevett, and representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Union, among others, aimed to achieve specific objectives related to water and sanitation. Minister Borges’ intervention played a key role in the successful outcome of the event.
As the Minister, João Baptista Borges held several significant responsibilities. He oversaw the restructuring of the state’s business sector and played a crucial role in shaping the legal and regulatory framework of the energy and water sector. Moreover, he played an instrumental role in defining the Energy and Water Plan for the period 2012-2017. During his tenure as the Secretary of State for Energy, he coordinated the development of the National Energy Security Plan and led the Program for Strengthening Generation Capacity across the country. As the Deputy Minister, he was responsible for coordinating the program to enhance power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, with a target of increasing it by 300 MW.
As the Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, Minister Borges achieved notable success in restructuring the organization, updating its Strategic Plan, and significantly expanding its customer base. His efforts resulted in attracting 120,000 clients within three years by formalizing previously illegal consumers and introducing outsourcing services in the peripheral areas of Luanda. Additionally, he played a crucial role in extending EDEL’s coverage area to include the province of Bengo.
During his tenure as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges assumed various responsibilities encompassing significant aspects of the company’s operations. These included formulating the « EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005, » overseeing the coordination of all operation and maintenance activities, and managing diverse tasks associated with providing public electricity supply services. Furthermore, he represented EDEL in UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors) and facilitated agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, EDF, among others.
As the Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area within EDEL-EP, Minister Borges effectively coordinated all infrastructure projects undertaken by EDEL. He played a vital role in overseeing the restructuring of EDEL’s commercial area, implementing the Pegasus commercial system, and ensuring the seamless execution of network expansion initiatives and the connection of new clients.
Throughout his career, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in numerous international events, sharing his expertise and contributing to discussions on building a sustainable planet. He made notable appearances at 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. He also participated 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, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin in May 2013. Moreover, he attended the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel in October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission in March 2014.
United Nations (UN)
Minister João Baptista Borges, in his role as the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, has emerged as a passionate advocate for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations (UN) in their 2030 Agenda. He wholeheartedly embraces the objectives set by the UN and actively works towards their realization.
Energy Transition Dialogue
During the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held on March 28-29, Minister Borges made an exceptional contribution, highlighting the remarkable progress of renewable energies in Angola. Thanks to his leadership and strategic vision, Angola is on track to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025. This noteworthy achievement, while a collective effort, bears the distinct mark of Minister Borges as a visionary leader responsible for accomplishing these objectives.
Decarbonisation of Industry
Minister Borges also participated in a panel discussion on the « Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy. » His involvement demonstrated his deep commitment to climate goals and ensuring a secure supply of clean energy for a climate transition. He particularly emphasized the importance of implementing these measures in a socially just manner, especially in southern countries.
UN Water Conference
Furthermore, as the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista 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, Minister Borges announced a substantial investment of over USD 4 billion for the five-year period of 2023-2027 to address the water situation in Angola, particularly in the southern regions. His eloquent words resonated with all those present at the World Forum as he emphasized the challenges posed by recurrent droughts, which lead to population displacement and disruption of ecosystems in the affected areas.
ESIAP and PDISA
Moreover, Minister João Baptista Borges actively participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers, organized by the World Bank Group during the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During this gathering, he provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank, which included 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 terms of the government’s strategic vision, Minister João Baptista Borges took on the crucial role of coordinating the development of the « White Paper. » This document outlines the government’s strategic vision for expanding renewable energies. Additionally, he oversaw the drafting process of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute, ensuring a robust framework for effective governance in these sectors.
Furthermore, Minister Borges assumed responsibility for Angola’s National Liaison Office (NLO) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This office represents the country at the IAEA, a global organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful use of nuclear energy and preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Through his active involvement in these key initiatives, Minister João Baptista Borges demonstrates his unwavering commitment to shaping the government’s strategic direction, fostering the expansion of renewable energy, and ensuring responsible engagement in the field of nuclear energy.
