‘Africa Bill Gates’ Herman Chinery-Hesse dies at 61

• Posted on September 18, 2024September 18, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Renowned Ghanaian technology entrepreneur and the founder of theSOFTtribe, Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, has passed away.

He died Monday, September 16, 2024, after a cardiac arrest according to reports, leaving behind a legacy as one of Africa’s most influential figures in technology.

Chinery-Hesse, born in 1963 in Dublin, Ireland, was a trailblazer in the tech industry, often referred to as “the Bill Gates of Africa” passed away at 61.

His contributions have left an indelible mark on Ghana’s technological landscape. Chinery-Hesse founded the SOFTtribe in 1991, which has grown to become the oldest and largest software company in Ghana.

Under his leadership, the company pioneered several groundbreaking products, including mobile-based community security systems, government payroll systems, ERP solutions, and nationwide utility billing systems.

Chinery-Hesse’s innovative projects extended beyond software development. His initiative, “African Echoes,” aimed to create African audiobooks for a global audience, empowering Africans to tell their own stories on the world stage. His impact was also felt in his role 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 educational background laid a strong foundation for his successful career.

In addition to his corporate achievements, Chinery-Hesse played a prominent role in the tech community as a speaker at prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, and Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

He was a TED Fellow and frequently featured in international media outlets including CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

Chinery-Hesse’s legacy will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to advancing technology in Africa and his role in shaping the future of the continent’s tech industry.

His passing is a significant loss to the global tech community, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of innovators.

Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse is survived by his family and a legacy of transformative technological advancements that have significantly impacted Africa and beyond.