The Ghana Office of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council has honoured the memory and enormous contributions of Herman Chinery-Hesse, its inaugural Chairperson for Business and Technology.

Mr. Chinery-Hesse, who passed away on September 16, 2024, and was often referred to as the ‘Bill Gates of Africa’ by the BBC, transformed West Africa’s digital landscape with ground-breaking innovations through his software company, SOFTtribe.

Speaking to the press, Dr. John Apea, Head of Mission for the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council in Western Africa said Mr. Chinery-Hesse left an enviable legacy that will continue to shape Africa’s technological landscape.”

“Herman leaves behind an enviable legacy that will continue to shape Africa’s technological landscape. He was a dynamic, creative and innovative leader, and it is no wonder that Google had celebrated him just a few days before his passing. He will be greatly missed by those of us he mentored,” Dr. Apea said.

As the founder of SOFTtribe, Herman Chinery-Hesse revolutionised the digital landscape in West Africa, creating innovations and redefining possibilities for the continent’s future.

His death marks the end of an era but leaves behind a legacy that continues to shape Africa’s technological landscape.