Nigeria is a top pick by some of the most influential figures in emerging markets finance who spoke at the Reuters Emerging Markets Summit last week.

Its market of about 140 million people - nearly three times bigger than South Africa's - as well as its energy resources and bigger, more liquid markets, makes it the top choice for many eyeing Africa.

Recent reports by various consulting firms all agree Africa offers among the world's best investment prospects as emerging markets grow increasingly important.

On the Goldman Sachs' growth-environment index, which measures a mixture of economic and social development indicators, Nigeria's score has nearly doubled over the past decade.

'If it were to show the same increase in its growth-environment score over the next decade, many investors will look back and say why the hell didn't I invest in Nigeria,' said Goldman Sachs' global head of economic research Jim O'Neill, who coined the term BRICs.

Source: Reuters