A pioneering Ghanaian IT entrepreneur and chairman of SOFTtribe Group, Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse, has passed away on Monday, September 16, at the age of 61.
Reports indicate that he died suddenly, possibly from cardiac arrest.
In 1991, Chinery-Hesse co-founded SOFTtribe, Ghana’s oldest and largest software company, which played a pivotal role in advancing the country’s technological landscape. Under his leadership, the company introduced groundbreaking innovations, including mobile-based community security systems, government payroll solutions, ERP systems, and nationwide utility billing platforms—key components of Ghana’s digital transformation in both the public and private sectors.
Chinery-Hesse’s influence extended beyond software development. He was the driving force behind “African Echoes,” an initiative designed to bring African stories to a global audience through audiobooks. Additionally, he made significant contributions to Ghana’s legal and business sectors, serving as an assessor for the Commercial Courts of Ghana.
A highly respected thought leader in global tech circles, Chinery-Hesse frequently spoke at prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His insights were also featured by major international media outlets, including CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera, and he was recognised as a TED Fellow.
This visibility earned him the nickname “Bill Gates of Africa.”
In recognition of his contributions, a conference room at Google’s headquarters was recently named in his honour.
Herman Kojo Chinery-Hesse was born to Lebrecht James Nii Tettey Chinery-Hesse and Mary Chinery-Hesse in Dublin, Ireland, in 1963.
Schools he attended included Mfantsipim School in Cape Coast, Ghana, and Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. He went on to Texas State University in San Marcos to obtain a degree in industrial technology.
Following news of his passing, many have taken to social media to share their condolences and pay tribute to his legacy.
