Ghanaian Tech Entrepreneur Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse Passes Away

Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, a distinguished Ghanaian technology entrepreneur and founder of theSOFTtribe, has died at age 61.

According to reports, the tech mogul died of a cardiac arrest on the evening of Monday, September 16,2014. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that established him as one of Africa’s foremost technology leaders.

Known as “the Bill Gates of Africa,” Chinery-Hesse’s innovative spirit earned him accolades from global tech giants, including Google, which honored him by naming a meeting room at its headquarters in his memory.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1963 to Lebrecht James Nii Tettey Chinery-Hesse and Mary Chinery-Hesse, his journey from his early education at Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Ghana, to Texas State University in the U.S. set the stage for his future impact.

In 1991, Chinery-Hesse co-founded theSOFTtribe in Accra, Ghana. Under his leadership, the company became a trailblazer in software development, creating solutions such as mobile-based community security systems, government payroll systems, ERP solutions, and nationwide utility billing platforms.

His work extended beyond software, with initiatives like “African Echoes,” aimed at producing African audiobooks for a global audience, and contributions as an assessor for Ghana’s Commercial Courts.

Chinery-Hesse was also a notable academic presence, delivering lectures at prestigious institutions including the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, and Wharton. As a TED Fellow, he frequently shared his insights through international media platforms like CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

Chinery-Hesse’s legacy is defined by his commitment to advancing technology across Africa and inspiring future innovators. He leaves behind a significant impact on the tech industry and a family who will remember him for his transformative contributions.