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Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, a pioneering figure in Africa’s technology industry and founder of SOFTtribe, passed away on Monday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest. Known for his significant contributions to Ghana’s tech landscape, Chinery-Hesse leaves behind a legacy as one of Africa’s leading innovators. He was 61.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1963, Chinery-Hesse earned the nickname “the Bill Gates of Africa” for his transformative work in software development. In 1991, he established SOFTtribe, Ghana’s oldest and largest software company, which introduced groundbreaking products such as mobile-based security systems, government payroll solutions, and utility billing platforms.
Chinery-Hesse’s influence extended beyond software. He initiated *African Echoes*, a project that brought African stories to a global audience through audiobooks, and served as an assessor for Ghana’s Commercial Courts.
Educated at Mfantsipim School in Ghana, Westlake High School, and Texas State University, where he studied Industrial Technology, Chinery-Hesse became a global figure in tech. His insights were sought by leading institutions, including Oxford, Harvard Business School, and Wharton, and he was featured in international media like CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera.
His passing is a profound loss for Ghana’s tech industry, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of African innovators.
