Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, a distinguished Ghanaian technology entrepreneur and founder of theSOFTtribe, has passed away due to a cardiac arrest.
He died on Monday evening, leaving behind a significant legacy as one of Africa’s foremost tech innovators.
Born in 1963 in Dublin, Ireland, Chinery-Hesse was a pioneer in the tech industry, often dubbed “the Bill Gates of Africa.” He established the SOFTtribe in 1991, which has become the oldest and largest software company in Ghana.
Under his guidance, the company introduced several groundbreaking products, including mobile-based community security systems, government payroll systems, ERP solutions, and nationwide utility billing systems.
Chinery-Hesse’s influence extended beyond software development. His initiative, “African Echoes,” aimed to produce African audiobooks for a global audience, enabling Africans to share their stories worldwide. He also served as an assessor for the Commercial Courts of Ghana.
Educated at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, and Texas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, Chinery-Hesse’s education provided a strong foundation for his career.
He was a prominent figure in the tech community, speaking at prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As a TED Fellow, he appeared frequently in international media, including CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera.
Chinery-Hesse’s passing is a profound loss to the global tech community. His contributions have left an enduring impact on Africa’s technological landscape and will continue to inspire future generations of innovators.
He is survived by his family and a legacy of transformative technological advancements that have significantly impacted Africa and beyond.
