How the Francophonie and FrancoTech can enable Cambodia to build technology, cooperation, global networks and investment opportunities
By Thierry Tea, Co-President, La French Tech Phnom Penh
Cambodia is preparing to welcome the 20th Francophonie Summit and FrancoTech side event in Phnom Penh from 14 to 16 November 2026. These gatherings are an important moment for the country. This is a major international event that will welcome a large number of delegations, exhibitors and meetings. The real value will be determined by what we build afterwards.
For Cambodia, this is an opportunity to think bigger. It is amazing to be hosting a major international event, and an incredible opportunity to build on it, and to set the path to accelerate our ambition to become a Startup Nation, a country where entrepreneurs can create innovation and technology-driven businesses, develop solutions to real challenges, attract investment and compete in international markets.
As Co-President of La French Tech Phnom Penh, I believe the Francophonie and FrancoTech can help us move in that direction. They offer something that every emerging innovation ecosystem needs: access to technology, cooperation, international networks and capital. Most importantly, they can help connect these resources to Cambodian talent and ambition.
The Francophonie: A network of language and opportunity,
The Francophonie is often understood through language, culture and history. While these are important foundations, the community also represents a broad network of countries, institutions, universities, entrepreneurs, investors and businesses. It brings together different markets, expertise and capabilities across Europe, Africa, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Cambodia has a distinctive position within this community. Our historical and cultural connections with the Francophone world sit alongside our place in one of the most dynamic regions of the global economy: Southeast Asia. We should leverage these connections as a platform for practical cooperation in trade, education, technology, research, entrepreneurship and investment.
The opportunity is to look at the Francophonie as a source of support for the next cycle of Cambodia’s economic growth. It should be a two-way relationship. Cambodia can offer an under tapped young and entrepreneurial population, a growing export production capacity, a strategic location in ASEAN and opportunities for companies seeking to develop in the region. We can learn from one another, build businesses together and create value across borders.
FrancoTech: Turning connections into projects
FrancoTech gives this ambition a practical focus. By bringing together startups, technology companies, investors, institutions and innovation leaders, it creates a space to share solutions, identify partners and explore business opportunities. The programme include themes that matter to Cambodia’s development, including artificial intelligence, digital government, fintech and financial inclusion, agritech and food security, digital startups, education and human capital, women in innovation, and technology for tourism and culture.
For me, one of the measure of success will be all the partnerships that will continue after the event: a Cambodian startup finding a technology partner; a local company adopting a solution that improves its productivity; a university developing a programme with an international institution; an investor discovering a promising Cambodian founder; or a foreign company choosing Cambodia as a base from which it can grow across ASEAN.
That is why La French Tech Phnom Penh is focused on connecting founders, investors, corporations and institutions, and on making those connections useful. We want to continue helping Cambodian startups access international expertise and markets, while helping international companies understand the opportunities and partners available in Cambodia.
Bring technology. Build cooperation. Open international networks.
A Startup Nation is not created by technology alone. It requires an ecosystem in which ideas can become companies and companies can grow. Cambodia can accelerate this process by opening more channels for technology transfer, knowledge exchange and practical collaboration.
First, we must bring more technology into the country and build the capabilities to adapt, develop and apply. Artificial intelligence, software, cybersecurity, fintech, digital commerce, agritech and other emerging technologies can help Cambodian businesses become more productive and competitive. Partnerships with international companies, research centres and universities can support local talent and encourage the development of solutions that respond to Cambodian and regional needs.
Second, we must strengthen cooperation. Government institutions, the private sector, universities, investors, startups and development partners each have a role to play. When these actors work in isolation, opportunities are missed. When they collaborate around clear projects, skills development, innovation programmes, pilot projects, market access and digital transformation, then the entire ecosystem can become stronger. There is a lot of work, but Cambodia has the potential to reach the next level fast.
Third, we must build international networks that work in two directions. Cambodian founders need access to mentors, customers, technology partners and investors abroad. At the same time, international startups and companies need trusted local partners to enter Cambodia and the ASEAN market. The French Tech network and the Francophone community can be bridges, creating closer relationships for stronger exchanges and lasting commercial business flows.
Scaling Investment Ambition
The access to capital is essential to succeed. Startups need more than encouragement: they need financing, experienced investors, corporate partners, customers and opportunities to scale. International investors are need to bring capital, governance, industry expertise and access to new markets.
Cambodia has the possibility to position itself as a place where investors can discover young ambitious and capable founders, promising businesses and opportunities to build for the region.
At the moment, there is a need for a stronger pipeline of startups, better connections between entrepreneurs and investors. It also requires founders to build sustainable businesses, understand their markets and demonstrate the ability to execute. Investment must be viewed as a long term partnership.
From an emerging ecosystem to a Cambodian Startup Nation
Becoming a Startup Nation is a very long-term ambition and will not happen overnight. There is a strong need for sustained investment in education and talent, stronger links between universities and industry, access to early-stage and growth capital, supportive policies, digital infrastructure and a business environment in which entrepreneurs can take risks, learn and grow and fail.
Cambodian founders need to have more confidence, and be encouraged to solve local problems, while looking at scaling internationally. It is important to consider international standards and regional potential from the beginning. Our ambition should be to create companies that can be world class, be among the best in the world and pave the way for the next generation of founders.
This is where the Francophonie, FrancoTech and La French Tech Phnom Penh can contribute, by providing Cambodian entrepreneurs with wider and larger platform to connect with the world.
The real work begins after the Summit
The Francophonie Summit and FrancoTech legacy will be measured in lasting partnerships, technology adoption, new investments and Cambodian companies that will connect with partners internationally.
The question is what Cambodia contribute to the Francophonie and to the world.
If we can turn international connections into practical cooperation, new technology into local capability, and investment into growing Cambodian businesses, then these events can help lay foundations for something much bigger: Cambodia on the way to its future as a Startup Nation, connected to the world, creating value at home and building international companies for the future.
Thierry Tea is Co-President, La French Tech Phnom Penh
