Herman Chinery-Hesse, born on November 18, 1963, in Dublin, Ireland, was a trailblazer in African technology, with deep roots in a distinguished Ghanaian family known for public service.
His father, Lebrecht James Chinery-Hesse, was a prominent legal draftsman, and his mother, Mary Akuokor Chinery-Hesse (née Blay), was a seasoned diplomat and the first woman to attain the rank of Under-Secretary-General in United Nations history. She also became the first female chancellor of the University of Ghana.
Raised in an intellectually rich environment, Herman’s upbringing instilled values of leadership and service that shaped his legacy as a pioneering African tech entrepreneur. Growing up in Jamestown, Ghana, he developed a strong connection to his heritage. After attending Ridge Church School and Mfantsipim School, he moved to the U.S. in 1982, where he graduated from Westlake High School in Texas and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Texas State University. His exposure to new ideas in the U.S. ignited his passion for harnessing technology to drive economic transformation.
After a brief stint in the U.K., Herman returned to Ghana to co-found theSOFTtribe Limited in 1991, one of West Africa’s earliest software companies. theSOFTtribe focused on “tropically sensitive” software solutions for African businesses, including Akatua (payroll system), Eziban (restaurant management), Efuom (farm management), and Hei Julor!!! (a mobile security alert system). Under Herman’s leadership, theSOFTtribe expanded its impact across West and East Africa, becoming synonymous with innovation in the African tech space.
Herman’s thought leadership gained him international recognition. He spoke at esteemed forums like Harvard Business School, United Nations conferences, and TED Global. He was also featured on CNN, BBC, and in Forbes, which recognized him as a leading figure in Africa’s tech ecosystem. Herman’s accolades included the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer award (2008), Ghana Millennium Excellence Award for ICT, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards. He was also Ghana’s Best Entrepreneur in ICT and a Microsoft African Partner of the Year.
Among his notable innovations, Herman recently developed “Afrikan Echoes,” an app delivering authentic African stories globally. His dedication to African development extended to real estate, where he created Lubango Heights in Aburi, a premier retreat destination, and Graceland Memorial Garden in partnership with Gethsemane Cemetery.
In his personal life, Herman married Sadia Clarke in 1993. They were proud parents to Nii Tetey and Naa Densua and grandparents to Luca and Bria, born in 2024. His larger-than-life personality, love for music—especially Brazilian, jazz, reggae, and highlife—alongside his insightful speeches, inspired countless Africans.
Herman’s parting words, “I’ve finished my work,” reflect his satisfaction with the impact he made. As we bid farewell, we honor a visionary leader whose passion and innovation will inspire generations to come. His legacy as the elder statesman of African technology is indelible, marking a new era for Africa’s tech ecosystem.