Nigeria’s startup, Terra Industries, formerly Terrahaptix, has raised $11.75 million to scale its manufacturing capabilities and solidify its position as a defence company focused on protecting Africa’s critical infrastructure.
The startup, which briefly exited the defence market, is now fully re-entering it under a renewed strategic mission.
Announcing the funding on LinkedIn, the startup said its renewed mission is to give Africa the technological edge needed for resource protection and counterterrorism.
“Today we’re building Africa’s first defense prime with $11B in assets under protection. Over the next few months, we will ramp up defense production across Africa and scale our surveillance software,” it said.
Terra Indusries’ Strategic Funding from Silicon Valley Investors
Terra’s latest funding round was led by 8VC, the investment firm founded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, and included participation from Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, Leblon Capital, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, and angel investors such as Alex Moore of Palantir and California-based Meyer Malka.
Co-founder and CEO Nathan Nwachuku said the company is deliberately positioning itself as a defence startup amid increasing security threats across the continent.
“We need to protect Africa’s critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. We have been a bit wary of calling ourselves a defence company, but now we’re doing it fully,” Nwachuku told Techpoint Africa.
Nwachuku emphasised the importance of working with investors who understand the defence market.
“The rules for a defence company are very different from the rules for a fintech, for example. We need to structure the company properly in order to protect trillions of dollars’ worth of critical infrastructure,” he said.
Early Traction and Growth Plans
Despite being a young company, Terra has shown early success. Within a year of launch, the startup revealed it recorded $2 million in total orders and in 2025 secured a $1.2 million contract to protect hydropower dams, outperforming an Israeli competitor.
The new funding will allow Terra to expand manufacturing facilities and hire additional engineering talent, boosting production of its defence technologies, including its flagship Archer Drone.
While Terra has generated revenue from commercial clients, particularly in mining and oil sectors, the company plans to place greater emphasis on government contracts, currently securing infrastructure assets valued at approximately $11 billion across Africa.
The company has also strengthened its board, adding Eliot Pence, a former executive at $14 billion US defence firm Anduril, and Palantir’s Alex Moore. These strategic appointments aim to combine global expertise with local execution.
Pan-African Mission and Local Impact
From its inception, Terra has maintained a Pan-African vision. Nwachuku told Techpoint Africa in 2024 that the company was founded with co-creator Maxwell Maduka to create “something from Africa that mattered.” That mission has evolved to focus on securing the continent’s industrial future.
“Africa is industrialising faster than any other region, with new mines, refineries, and power plants emerging every month. But none of that progress will matter if we don’t solve the continent’s greatest Achilles heel, which is insecurity and terrorism. Our mission is to give Africa the technological edge to protect its industrial future and defeat terrorism.” Nwanchuku said.
Maduka, the CTO, reinforced the company’s African roots:
“This is African technology, built by African engineers, for African infrastructure. We are creating skilled jobs, building advanced manufacturing capacity, and ensuring the intellectual property behind Africa’s security stays on the continent,” Maduka said.
Terra Industries Positioning in the African Defence Ecosystem
Terra’s strategy places it alongside regional competitors like Sora, which recently raised $7.3 million to deploy AI-powered drones. However, Terra’s Silicon Valley backing and early contracts may provide a competitive edge.
While its product line extends beyond drones, the Archer Drone remains a flagship offering in a market where drone technology is increasingly critical for industrial and security applications.
As the only truly African company among the top defence tech players on the continent, experts say Terra’s success is pivotal, not just for securing vital infrastructure, but for establishing Africa in the global deep tech space.
Talking Points
It is impressive that Terra Industries has fully re-entered the defence sector with a clear mission to secure Africa’s critical infrastructure, addressing a growing need for protection against terrorism and industrial sabotage.
This strategic shift positions the startup as a leading African defence company, leveraging both local engineering talent and international expertise to deliver advanced solutions such as the Archer Drone, while expanding manufacturing capacity across the continent.
At Techparley, we see Terra’s funding and board appointments as essential moves for scaling responsibly. By bringing in Silicon Valley investors and experienced executives from Palantir and Anduril, the company is ensuring that it meets the regulatory, technical, and operational requirements unique to defence markets.
The company’s success could have a broader impact on Africa’s industrialisation and security landscape. By providing homegrown technological solutions, creating skilled jobs, and keeping intellectual property on the continent, Terra demonstrates how African deep tech can compete globally while addressing local challenges.
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