Akinde's youth career started at Tottenham. Akinde played for Ebbsfleet United where he was a graduate of the club's academy under their previous name, Gravesend and Northfleet. In 28 league appearances for Gravesend/Ebbsfleet, Akinde scored 10 goals, he also won the FA Trophy with Ebbsfleet in the season before joining Bristol City, laying on the winning goal in the final at Wembley against Torquay United. He had a loan spell at Margate and two loan spells at Whitstable Town.
