The Rwanda economic update reports andsynthesizes recent economic developments and places them ina medium term and global context. It analyzes theimplications of these developments and policies for theoutlook of Rwanda's economy. In this way, these reportscontribute to the implementation of the Bank's Africastrategy. The economic update reports cover in each editiona special feature on a selected topic. It is intended for awide audience, including policy makers, business leaders andother market participants, and the community of analysts,engaged in Rwanda's economy. Rwanda's economy isestimated to have grown by a robust 8 percent in 2012,continuing a decade-long period of strong economic growth.The economic expansion was driven by buoyant private sectoractivity, particularly in the services sector, where growthexceeded expectations. This strong economic performance hasallowed Rwanda to claim for the third year in a row, thetitle of the fastest growing economy in the East AfricanCommunity. The domestic economy remained strong despite anestimated 20 percent reduction in Official Donor Assistance(ODA) in 2012, following the intensifying of the conflict inEastern Congo. Providing jobs to the two million people whowill enter the workforce in the decade to come will becrucial to sustaining Rwanda's achievements.