.jpg)
Born and raised in Luanda, he is the youngest of three siblings and credits his early years, including extensive travel and exposure to different cultures, with shaping his outlook on life. After earning a degree in Environmental Engineering from Universidade Independente de Angola, he began his career in environmental consultancy in 2009. The experience took him across all provinces of Angola.
“I camped in forests, deserts and remote areas, collected environmental samples in rivers at night, carried out biodiversity surveys at dawn, and visited villages that few people ever get the opportunity to see,” he recalls.
Beyond the technical experience, those years gave him an opportunity to listen to communities and understand how people interact with the environment around them. Over nearly a decade, he worked on environmental and social impact studies, environmental monitoring, waste management, and stakeholder engagement projects. The experience deepened both his technical expertise and his appreciation for Angola's people and natural diversity
Seeking a new challenge, he joined Eni Angola in 2018, where he progressed from Integrated Management Systems Specialist to Head of HSE IMS, Environmental & Compliance. During this period, he became increasingly involved in greenhouse gas management, energy efficiency and climate-related initiatives. He also completed a year-long HSEQ Master's programme in Italy, an experience that broadened his international perspective and strengthened his professional network.
The creation of Azule Energy brought a new opportunity: helping build and lead key aspects of the company’s decarbonization agenda.
"It was a turning point in my career," he says. "The chance to help build and lead key aspects of Azule's decarbonization agenda opened my eyes to how interconnected this field is and how important it is for creating a responsible and competitive energy company."
Today, he plays a key role in advancing Azule's decarbonization ambitions and has represented the company inleading industry initiatives, including the Oil & Gas Decarbonizatio nCharter (OGDC) and OGMP 2.0. He also serves as Chair of the IOGP Low Carbon Operating Efficiency Committee, collaborating with experts from across the global energy industry.
While he prefers not to define success through a single achievement, he is particularly proud of helping establish decarbonization as a strategic business function within Azule.
"When the company was created, we had the opportunity to build this capability from the ground up. Together with colleagues, we helped position decarbonization as a performance enabler that supports operational excellence and long-term value creation."
Beyond the workplace
Away from work, his priorities are clear: family comes first. Married and a proud father of four, he describes managing four children as perhaps his most challenging and rewarding leadership experience.
Sunday mornings are reserved for family breakfasts, a tradition that keeps everyone connected and up to date with the latest family stories.
Beyond family life, he enjoys football, learning about environmental topics and exploring astronomy, a hobby that he says helps put life into perspective.
It may also be surprising to learn that João is an enthusiastic cook. From bacalhau com natas and feijoada to cakes and grilled dishes, he enjoys bringing people together around food.
For the future, he remains focused on growth.
"I am excited about new opportunities, new challenges and the possibility of continuing to learn. Professionally, I hope to continue developing as a leader while maintaining strong technical credibility. Personally, I hope to keep contributing positively to the people and organizations around me."
Reflecting on his journey so far, one theme stands out: meaningful progress comes through collaboration, humility and persistence. It is an approach that continues to guide both his career and his contribution to Azule Energy's future.