African #tech superstar Alysia Silberg General Partner, Street Global Venture Capital, says she replies when asked what African policymakers can do to encourage investment into the tech sector in Africa, one focus is to look at the 12 investment questions of Silicon Valley:

1. Whether the government is stable?
2. Company incorporation structures and the limitation of liability?
3. The availability of reputable experts able to advise companies on their IP Protection and other assets?
4. Availability of legal recourse and the cost?
5. Whether or not there is a risk of asset seizure by government or any other organization?
6. The prevalence of fraud and corruption and whether it is a material risk?

7. Reliability of infrastructure including financial and banking payments platforms and ease of international funds transfer?
8. Availability and productivity of a highly skilled workforce able to meet the needs of scaling business with a strong focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths?
9. Whether or not “hotbed” exist for different niches and industries?
10. A progressive environment for diversity and women’s empowerment?
11. Whether any startups have succeeded at scale and its resultant effect on the surrounding ecosystem?
12. Availability of and ease of access to local capital for entrepreneurs, Not just for the first rounds of investment, but through a startup’s growth from startup to scaleup?

She was speaking at the UK-Ethiopia Trade & Investment Forum 2018 in London on 16 October 2018.