The economy finished 2017 on a strong note, with YoY GDP growth accelerating to 6.5% in Q4 from 1.1% in Q3 thanks to a sharp rebound in the Trade, hotels and restaurants sector, driven by inclusion of diamond aggregation process under this sector. Full-year growth, however, came in at a modest 2.4%, down from 4.3% recorded in 2016. On the political front, Ian Khama stepped down as president on 31 March after serving a decade in office. His former vice president, Mokgweetsi Masisi, was sworn in the next day and will serve as president until elections are held in October 2019.