Crime Fighters: DW's audio crime series for young Africans has entered a new round

One of three new series, titled “A Disappearance in Pyto,” is available now. Crime Fighters is available in six languages (English, French, Hausa, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Amharic) and has fan communities in more than 30 African countries. An essential factor in its credibility is that the radio play is produced locally in Africa and all of its authors are African.  

Each series consists of ten ten-minute episodes during which the juvenile investigators try to solve a case and stand up for truth and justice. The protagonists are faced with different challenges and critical issues such as hate speech, cholera, human trafficking, domestic violence, environmental pollution, poaching, terrorist recruitment and land grabbing.  

“A Disappearance in Pyto,” written by Hurcyle Gnonhoué, sheds a light on the environmental damage caused by charcoal extraction in Pyto, a fictitious African town. Charcoal, an important resource for the population, is often acquired by secretly cutting down trees in protected areas. A new legal reform aims to reduce the environmental impact of charcoal production. But sinister forces in Pyto have their own plans.

Crime Fighters is broadcast by DW as well as by more than 300 FM partner stations throughout Africa, making it the most successful radio drama of the continent. The series also features prominently on DW's social media platforms.

“This audio format allows us to address controversial news and issues and to turn them into exciting and educational fiction,” said Claus Stäcker, DW's head of African programming, adding that “Crime Fighters ‘edutaining’ way attracts a very young audience.”