By RARZACK OLAEGBE
It is impossible for the leopard to change its spots. Likewise, the tiger cannot change its stripes. However, new research by the journal Genetics offers fresh insights into how cats develop spots and stripes. The research demonstrates for the first time that three distinct genes are involved in the emergence of stripes, spots, and other markings on domestic cats.
Information from sciencedaily.com confirms how researchers have identified the genomic location of two of these genes, which will aid further studies. Eduardo Eizirik, a researcher involved in the work from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, explained that the study will open new avenues for investigating genes involved in pattern formation, including the establishment of stripes, spots, and other markings. These investigations will encompass their structure, function, and regulation.
“From these studies, we hope to understand how the different coat patterns have evolved in different mammalian groups and be able to investigate their roles in adaptation to different environments, such as their importance for camouflage in wild cat species,” Eizirik said.
The researchers aim to identify and characterise the implicated genes and then determine if they apply to other mammals, including humans. In the same vein, this discussion seeks to ascertain whether the “spots” apply to Fintech start-ups. Nigeria’s tech start-up ecosystem is not a leopard, but it has its spots and stripes. These markings are as old as the country itself, making it reasonable to assume that they cannot be altered.
Nigeria has the largest number of start-ups in Africa, but lags in other important metrics. This was the finding of a new report compiled by fDi Intelligence, a specialist division of the Financial Times, in collaboration with a research company called Briter Bridges. The aim is to “map the continent’s nascent tech ecosystems and explore their potential.”
The report reveals that the investment landscape in Africa’s start-up space is minimal compared to the rest of the world. For instance, start-ups in the United States of America (USA) raised $156.2 billion in venture capital in 2020, whereas African start-ups garnered over $2 billion in the past two years.
However, the fDi report notes that the potential of Africa’s vibrant start-up ecosystem is evident in the impact created. According to the report, a growing number of “success stories” involving digital and impact-focused businesses are driving investor engagement and support for start-ups. To arrive at this conclusion, certain benchmarks were employed. Seventeen countries were selected for evaluation based on being home to several tech hubs, having more than 50 start-ups, and attracting investments exceeding $500,000 between 2019 and 2020.
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Using specialist online tools, along with supporting data from Briter Bridges, these 17 countries were assessed on categories such as economic potential, business climate, cost-effectiveness, connectivity, and workers’ experience. On this scale, South Africa ranked highest, reflecting its relatively advanced start-up scene. South Africa led in the categories of start-up status and business friendliness.
South Africa is home to one of the most developed venture capitalist networks and the oldest start-up incubator on the continent, the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative. This incubator has supported over 3,000 entrepreneurs in its 20-year history, providing ready access to venture funds, attracting government grants, and housing abundant incubators and tech talent. “South Africa is a vision of what other tech ecosystems could become,” the report enthused.
Next is Kenya. This East African country boasts the highest number of coding schools and is a leader in the African Fintech space. Following Kenya is Nigeria, which has the greatest volume of start-ups at 750. While South Africa raised $241 million in 2020, Nigeria gathered $64.1 million. Nigeria missed the top 10 rankings for categories critical to helping a start-up thrive beyond its founding. The blemishes or spots for Nigeria include cost-effectiveness, a lack of widespread tech talent, and business friendliness.
These “spots” cannot be changed overnight. It requires a deliberate action plan and the willingness and support from the federal government to advance. It necessitates a vibrant venture capitalist circle to overcome funding challenges, and more than mere lip service is needed to eliminate these spots. These are a few possibilities. Anyway, you are aware of the frustrating state of conducting business in Lagos, Nigeria. As entrepreneurs, whether you are a start-up or a legacy owner, you must contend with stifling government policies, multiple taxes, and decaying infrastructure.
*Olaegebe ([email protected])
