HERMAN Kojo Chinery-Hesse, renowned Ghanaian tech expert and founder of SOFTtribe, has passed away at the age of 61. Often dubbed the ‘Bill Gates of Africa’ by the BBC, Chinery-Hesse was a trailblazer in the African technology landscape, particularly in software development. He spent his final years working in Sierra Leone.
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1963, Chinery-Hesse was raised by Lebrecht James Nii Tettey Chinery-Hesse and Mary Chinery-Hesse. His education journey took him to the prestigious Mfantsipim School in Ghana, followed by Westlake High School in Texas, USA, and later Texas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology.
Tech legacy
In 1991, Chinery-Hesse co-founded SOFTtribe, Ghana’s first and largest software company, which became a leading tech force in West Africa. The company developed several innovative products, including:
- Hei Julor!!! – a mobile-based community security alert system
- Government payroll systems
- Nationwide utility billing systems
- Point of sale and ERP systems
- Electronic payment systems
Chinery-Hesse also launched the ‘African Echoes’ project, designed to bring African stories to global audiences through audio books. He served as an assessor for the Commercial Courts of Ghana and became a major influence in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Honours and recognition
Chinery-Hesse received numerous awards during his lifetime, including the Outstanding Ghanaian Professional from the GPA Awards (UK) and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Texas State University. He and SOFTtribe were also recognised for their exceptional work with accolades like the GUBA Award, Ghana Millennium Excellence Award for IT, and the Mobile World Lifetime Achievement Award.
His influence extended globally, making him one of ‘20 Notable Black Innovators in Technology,’ one of Africa’s ‘Top 20 Tech Influencers,’ and one of the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Africans of Our Time.’ He was also a TED Fellow and often featured in international media outlets such as CNN, BBC, and Forbes Africa.
Chinery-Hesse was a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise at prestigious institutions like Harvard Business School, Oxford University, and Chatham House, among others. His legacy as a champion of African technology and innovation remains impactful.
