Samuel Akame emerged as the second runner-up at Code Cash Crop 3.0 hackathon. Ever wonder what it takes to build a business solution that works? Samuel’s got plenty of answers for you in this interview.

Tell us about yourself.

I am an Entrepreneurial sustainability professional, passionate about local food systems, urban agriculture, commodity trading, agtech, and reducing food waste through upcycling and regenerative agriculture. I am also a technology enthusiast. My interest and passion lie in the application of technology to food systems for the purposes of business expansion, social good intervention, and revenue growth opportunities. I'm familiar with Agtech x NFTs, and Virtual Kitchens, and I love traveling.

How did you hear about the Hackathon? What was your motivation to sign up for it?

I heard about Code Cash Crop 3.0 on LinkedIn, and when I came across it, I felt it was a good opportunity to reach industry leaders and important stakeholders in the system. So, I decided to give it a shot.

What was the idea of the project? Can you describe in a few words your solution?

I was constantly a victim of being scammed or failing to initiate a transaction due to a lack of trust while trying to make an honest living by trading commodities and connecting commodity buyers and sellers. I was aware that the state of trade finance was not where it should be, and there were few technological solutions to address pressing issues like this that solved real-world problems. Because I understand how the system works, I figured if anyone could serve as a trustworthy third party to protect the integrity of transaction payments and facilitate them with technology, it would be me.

As a result, we are developing Africa's most comprehensive suite of digital solutions for farms, food companies, and commodity traders via an end-to-end supply chain and financing network platform that acts as a dependable third party that protects the integrity of a transaction.

When did you first begin exploring this idea?

I started building Credence in 2019 after a lot of times failing to initiate a transaction.

What was the most challenging part of the hackathon for you?

I guess it was the part of mental preparation and the fact that you know that you don't want to screw things up.

What is life after CCC looking for you?

Knowing that my project has been validated by industry leaders, I believe it is a springboard for me to capitalize on the opportunities I have and make the most of them. I am definitely pushing forward for more opportunities in the industry.

Key advice for next year C.C.C 4.0 Participants?

I would say simply bring your A-game, network, and leverage the opportunities provided by the Code Cash Crop program. I believe it is a good starting point for further expansion.