Consul General Rick Swart, a seasoned diplomat in the Senior Foreign Service, has taken on various roles across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. His most recent position was as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad.
His diplomatic career includes serving as Chargé d’Affaires in Chad, Congo, and Burundi; Deputy Consul General in Baghdad, Iraq; and Humanitarian Assistance Officer for Africa at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. He has also been posted overseas in London, Manila, and Dubai and held domestic positions in Washington, D.C., focusing on sub-Saharan Africa issues.
Before joining the State Department in 2002, Swart worked on architectural and design projects in Asia and Africa's private sector. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali.
Originally from San Diego, California, Swart graduated from the University of Colorado with a BA in Philosophy. He holds a master’s degree in African Studies from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and another master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
Swart is accompanied by his spouse Bonnie during his assignment in Lagos. He speaks French and Bambara.