The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Momar Dieng as its next Vice Chancellor, effective November 1, 2026 taking over from Dr. Olusegun Yerokun, who stepped into the role on an interim basis during the 16-month search process. Dr. Dieng joins RICA from the African School of Governance (ASG) in Kigali, where he currently serves as Director of Executive Education and Associate Professor of Decision Science and Quantitative Methods. He brings more than 20 years of experience spanning higher education leadership, government reform, and international development across Africa and the United States, with a track record of leading institutional transformation, building sustainable partnerships, and mobilising significant funding for mission-driven organisations. Dr. Dieng’s career has been defined by his ability to lead institutions through change and strengthen their impact, said Ann Kelly Bolten, President of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and Chair of RICA's Executive Council. “He brings the strategic vision, fundraising experience, and a deep understanding of how to drive innovation through institutions of higher education that RICA needs as it enters its next chapter. We are confident Dr. Dieng is the right leader to build on RICA’s strong track record of educating young agricultural leaders and advancing conservation agriculture. Bolten Added. ALSO READ: How RICA graduates are helping transform Rwanda’s agri food sector through innovation Prior to ASG, Dr. Dieng served as Dean of the School of Business at the African Leadership University (ALU), where he was recruited to revive the school following a period of institutional transition. During his tenure, he redesigned the academic model, rebuilt the faculty and team, and launched a market-differentiated MBA programme built around eight sector-focused specialisations, including agribusiness, conservation, and data science. ALSO READ: Inside RICA's role in advancing Rwanda's farming through conservation agriculture Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Senior Technical and Policy Advisor to Senegal's Minister of Education, and a consultant to the World Bank on education and digital transformation programmes across West and Central Africa. He has also taught quantitative methods at Harvard University for more than 15 years. Ready to sustain gains, build visionary institute Dr. Dieng holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of California, Davis, a Master of Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, advanced coursework in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a BA in Mathematics and Physics from Macalester College. He is currently based in Rwanda. “I am humbled and excited to build on the work of Dr. Yerokun and the RICA leadership team,” said Dr. Dieng. “RICA is a recognised center of excellence for conservation agriculture, and I am grateful for the opportunity to empower smallholder farmers in Rwanda and beyond through research, education, and extension. I look forward to working with the RICA community, our partners, and the Government of Rwanda to lead the next chapter of this visionary institute.” ALSO READ: Conservation agriculture: Rwanda’s practical response to climate change and soil degradation Outgoing VC hailed Dr. Yerokun, a professor with a background in crop and soil sciences and prior experience as Vice Chancellor of the Zambian Open University, will continue to serve RICA as Deputy Vice Chancellor, with responsibility for overseeing the institute's academic programming. RICA owes Dr. Yerokun an enormous debt of gratitude, said Howard G. Buffett, Chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and RICA’s Chancellor. He stepped into the Interim Vice Chancellor role at a pivotal moment and led RICA with steadiness, expertise, and deep care for our students and our mission to promote adoption of conservation agriculture to improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers. We are fortunate that he will continue to guide RICA's academic program, and work alongside RICA’s capable leadership team in close partnership with Dr. Dieng. ALSO READ: Soil moisture: Rwanda’s most valuable agricultural resource According to Dr. Olusegun Yerokun, serving as interim Vice Chancellor gave him the opportunity to contribute to RICA's institutional growth, and he remains committed to working with the institute's leadership to further advance its mission. It has been an honor to serve RICA as Interim Vice Chancellor and to witness the growth of our students, faculty, and staff as they continue to advance conservation agriculture during this transition, said Dr. Olusegun Yerokun. I am glad to remain part of RICA's leadership team as RICA continues to transform our unique, hands-on education model, and I look forward to supporting Dr. Dieng as he takes the institute into its next chapter. About RICA The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is an internationally recognised, accredited higher education institution advancing conservation agriculture, entrepreneurship, and innovation. RICA's mission is to develop champions for conservation agriculture — an innovative, systems-wide approach to food production that builds healthy soil, manages water resources, and prevents erosion. Students earn Bachelor of Science degrees in conservation agriculture through a programme that integrates classroom learning, hands-on experience, and applied scientific research on RICA's living-laboratory campus. Founded in 2019 through a partnership between the Government of Rwanda and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, RICA is training the next generation of leaders to restore Rwanda's soils, increase agricultural productivity, and build a food-secure future for the country and the continent. Learn more at www.rica.rw. For more information about RICA or media inquiries, contact the institute's Communications Director, Ferdinand Mbonaruza, via email at fmbonaruza@rica.rw or by phone at +250 788 359 680.
