Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, the renowned Ghanaian technology entrepreneur and founder of theSOFTtribe, has passed away at the age of 61.
He died on Tuesday September 17, 2024 after a short illness.
A childhood friend described socialising with him until late last night (16 September) and said he showed no signs of being gravely ill.
Chinery-Hesse, often described as “the Bill Gates of Africa”, was honoured by the technology giant Google, which named a meeting room at its headquarters after him.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1963 to Lebrecht James Nii Tettey Chinery-Hesse and Mary Chinery-Hesse, he went on to make a profound impact on the technology sector.
Educated at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Ghana, Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, and Texas State University in San Marcos, Chinery-Hesse co-founded theSOFTtribe in 1991.
The company, based in Accra, became a leader in software development under his guidance, delivering innovations such as mobile-based community security systems, government payroll solutions, ERP systems and nationwide utility billing platforms.
Audiobooks for Africa
Beyond software, Chinery-Hesse’s contributions included the “African Echoes” initiative, which aimed to produce African-language audiobooks for a global audience, and his role as an assessor for the commercial courts of Ghana.
His influence extended to academic institutions, with notable speaking engagements at the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
A TED Fellow and a frequent presence in the international media, including CNN, the BBC and Al Jazeera, Chinery-Hesse established a track record marked by dedication to advancing technology in Africa.
His work has left an indelible mark on the tech industry, inspiring future generations of innovators.
Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse is survived by his wife, Sadia, a corporate lawyer, and three children. He also leaves a legacy of transformative achievements that have significantly shaped the future of technology in Africa and beyond.