Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture
The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) is a Rwandan higher education institution specialising in sustainable agriculture and environmental management. It is located in the Eastern Province, in Bugesera District (Gashora sector, Mwendo cell, Gaharwa village). Created in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, this university focuses on research aimed at advancing agriculture. The institution offers students free three-year training in agricultural development. It began delivering courses in 2019 and became fully operational in 2021.
Programmes
- Bachelor of Science with Honors in Conservation Agriculture
Tuition
- There is no cost to attend RICA. Every admitted student receives a full three-year scholarship covering tuition, medical insurance, on-campus accommodation and meals throughout the academic year. This is the only institution in the dataset where the total cost of attendance is zero for every admitted student. The competition happens entirely at the admission stage. TUITION IS ZERO. RICA is 100% fully funded: every admitted student receives a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, housing AND meals, financed by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation with the Government of Rwanda. THAT MAKES IT THE ONLY FREE DEGREE IN THE RWANDAN DATA. The trade-off is selectivity — admission is reported as extremely competitive. Provision is a single BSc in Conservation Agriculture with four specialisations.
Admissions
- APPLICANTS MUST BE RWANDAN CITIZENS. Every published RICA admission call restricts eligibility to Rwandan nationals, despite mission language referencing East African leaders.
- Completed secondary education having sat the national examination in the IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING year, so the eligible cohort is narrow and changes annually.
- Minimum national examination score of 70% and at least two principal passes. Earlier cycles used a lower threshold (40 REB / 36 WDA); 70% is current.
- Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurship potential, and a passion for agriculture and conservation practices.
- Specific subject combinations or trades are required; the eligible list is published in each annual call.
- Scholarships or financial aid available
Required documents:
- Copy of national ID
- A-Level result slip
- NESA equivalence certificate for holders of foreign or international qualifications
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