Open access digital formats have recently been gaining momentum as effective media to store, archive, and transmit visual data. They include texts, images, audio, videos, and software, typically accessed and distributed through electronic devices and online platforms.

In adopting open access formats to store visual content, IITA-CGIAR has adopted YouTube and Flickr as repositories for archiving videos and images, giving the public access to thousands of media items that can aid research efforts worldwide.
The IITA Flickr account curates a collection of high-quality images of events, projects, research, and activities across IITA stations, hubs, and headquarters in Africa. This portfolio provides content for diverse purposes, including tracking project and research progress and achievements over time.

IITA uses these two platforms to enhance user understanding of the Institute’s research and attract a broader audience that may prefer visual learning. With the YouTube account, IITA gives visibility to over 100 research project activities across Africa, allowing research actors to tell their stories, connect with users, and foster a community through comments and discussions.
With a combination of YouTube and Flickr, the Institute is the custodian of a broad visual data bank of images and videos in open-source digital formats that amplify the research. That is transforming millions of lives on the continent.
IITA’s YouTube and Flickr account statistics YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IITAVideos Subscribers: 9.56k Total videos: 720 Number of views: 898,901 Date joined: 27 February 2009 Location: Nigeria Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/iita-media-library/ Number of views: 9,446,760 Total photos: 29,843 Date joined: 2009 Location: Nigeria Contributed by Anita AkinyomadeContributed by
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