The economy of Nigeria, with some 158m people to South Africa's 50m, has been roaring along at an annual rate of almost 7% for the past eight years and may even become Africa's biggest by 2016, with Egypt (82m people) hot on its heels.

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In contrast, a Nigeria with a democratically elected government and a reformed economy could lift itself and the whole of West Africa, and take the regional leadership role that it wants and would deserve.

ECONOMIST: Nigeria’s best chance | The

In 2011, South Africa joined Brazil, Russia India and China in the Brics club of major emerging economies even though it's slow-growing economy is a fraction of the size compared to others in the club and could soon be surpassed by Nigeria.

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