Terra Industries Secures $52 Million as Nigerian Defence-Tech Startup Expands Across Africa and Beyond
Nigeria’s defence-technology startup Terra Industries has raised an additional $18 million, taking its total seed funding to $52 million as the company accelerates manufacturing in Africa and pushes into international markets.
The latest financing includes participation from existing investors such as 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel, alongside new investor Norleo Space Investments.
The fresh capital follows two major financing rounds earlier in the year. Terra raised $11.75 million in January in a round led by 8VC, followed by a $22 million extension in February led by Lux Capital.
The company has not revealed its latest valuation, although Chief Executive Officer Nathan Nwachuku previously said Terra had reached a nine-figure valuation following the February funding.
Terra Industries Is Building a Defence-Tech Manufacturing Network
Founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, Terra Industries develops autonomous security and defence systems for governments, military customers and operators of critical infrastructure.
Its product range includes the Archer VTOL drone, Iroko quadcopter, Kallon sentry tower and Kama interceptor drone, covering surveillance, infrastructure protection and counter-drone applications.
Terra says its technology is already being used to protect assets worth roughly $11 billion, spanning sectors such as oil, mining and power.
The startup is also targeting more than $100 million in contract bookings by the end of 2026, reflecting its ambitions to move quickly from an emerging African defence company into a much larger international supplier.
New Ghana Facility Could Produce 50,000 Systems a Year
A significant portion of the latest funding will go towards Pax-2, Terra’s new 34,000-square-foot drone manufacturing facility in Accra, Ghana.
The facility is being developed to reach an annual production capacity of up to 50,000 systems by 2028.
Pax-2 will operate alongside Terra’s existing manufacturing facility in Abuja, Nigeria, giving the company production bases in two major African markets.
The company expects the combined manufacturing footprint to help it respond to growing demand for drones and counter-drone technology from customers across the continent.
| Terra Industries Expansion | Details |
|---|---|
| Total seed funding | $52 million |
| Latest funding | $18 million |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Founders | Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka |
| Ghana facility | Pax-2, Accra |
| Planned Ghana capacity | 50,000 systems annually by 2028 |
| Existing manufacturing base | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Overseas office | London |
| Planned expansion | San Francisco and Washington |
| Target contract bookings | More than $100 million by end of 2026 |
London Office Marks Terra’s Push Into Global Markets
Terra is also expanding beyond Africa.
The company has opened its first international office in London and plans to establish additional operations in San Francisco, while maintaining a presence in Washington.
The move reflects a broader strategy to sell its defence systems outside the African market.
According to Nwachuku, Terra is targeting customers in regions including the Gulf, South America and South Asia, potentially putting the company in competition with established defence-technology manufacturers from Europe, North America and Asia.
The expansion also represents a significant change from Terra’s original Africa-focused strategy.
Nigeria-Born Defence Startup Targets the Global South
Terra’s growth comes as demand for surveillance drones, autonomous security systems and counter-drone technology increases among governments and infrastructure operators.
Rather than building solely for Western defence markets, the company is positioning its African manufacturing operations as a foundation for serving customers across the Global South.
That strategy could give Terra an opportunity to compete in markets where governments and major infrastructure companies are looking for alternatives to traditional defence suppliers.
The challenge now will be turning its rapidly expanding manufacturing plans and reported contract pipeline into sustained production and revenue.
With factories in Abuja and Accra, an international office in London and planned operations in the United States, Terra Industries is moving quickly from a young Nigerian startup into an ambitious global defence-technology company.
