Nigeria's election hangs over energy sector

Africa's biggest economy is growing again. But next year's vote is stalling reform and investment in its crucial energy sector

Nigeria's economy has made a sluggish recovery over the past 12 months. After a plunge into negative growth last year, higher global oil prices are beginning to heal the wounds to state finances. The next 18 months will be fraught with political risk, but if investors are smart, they can hover over lucrative market positions and prepare to take a spending plunge when the time proves right. In oil, there'll be intense scrutiny of Total's Egina floating, production and storage offshore project over the next year. Once up and running, the FPSO will process 100,000 barrels a day of oil. But the sailing may not be easy. Militants in the Niger Delta say they may target the Egina, and analysts beli