Terra Industries, a Nigerian defence technology startup, has secured $11.75 million in new funding led by Silicon Valley venture firm 8VC, as it seeks to expand its autonomous security systems and software for protecting critical infrastructure across Africa. Other investors in the round include Valour Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, and Nova Global, as well as African firms such as Tofino Capital, Kaleo Ventures, and DFS Lab. The company had earlier raised $800,000 in a pre-seed round, with investor interest growing after its work was featured by CNN.
Founded by 24-year-old Nathan Nwachuku and 26-year-old Maxwell Maduka, Terra Industries develops multi-domain defence systems that operate across air and land, with plans to expand into maritime security. The Abuja-based company focuses on detecting and responding to threats such as terrorism, sabotage, and attacks on vital infrastructure. Nwachuku, the company’s chief executive, said Terra was established to address what he described as one of Africa’s biggest barriers to growth: insecurity. He noted that despite the continent’s rapid industrial development and youthful population, persistent security challenges continue to threaten progress.
“Our aim is to build Africa’s first defence prime by creating autonomous defence systems that protect our critical infrastructure and resources from armed attacks. We want Africa to take responsibility for defending its own assets,” he said. Terra’s technology includes short- and long-range surveillance drones, ground-based drones, and fixed monitoring towers that oversee large areas around sensitive facilities. The company is also working on maritime solutions to safeguard offshore assets such as oil platforms and underwater pipelines.
Central to its operations is ArtemisOS, Terra’s proprietary software platform that gathers and analyses real-time data from its systems. When potential threats are identified, alerts are sent to relevant security agencies for rapid response. Nwachuku explained that many African countries already possess weapons but lack access to independent, locally controlled intelligence. As a result, they often rely on information from foreign powers such as the US, China, and Russia. Terra aims to change this by developing homegrown defence and intelligence infrastructure.
About 40 per cent of the company’s engineers are former members of the Nigerian military. Co-founder and chief technology officer Maduka previously served as a Nigerian Navy engineer and launched a drone company at the age of 19. 8VC partner Alex Moore, who focuses on defence investments, sits on Terra’s board, while Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi serves as an advisor. Terra has already begun generating revenue, earning over $2.5 million from commercial clients. It currently protects assets valued at about $11 billion, including power plants, mines, and other key infrastructure, mainly in Nigeria. The startup has also secured its first federal government contract, though details were not disclosed.
The company’s business model involves selling defence hardware to clients and charging recurring fees for data processing and storage services.With the fresh funding, Terra plans to expand manufacturing across Africa, establish additional defence factories, and strengthen its artificial intelligence and software teams. While new software offices are planned for San Francisco and London, production will remain in Africa to support local job creation and skills development.
Nwachuku said Terra aims to become a truly pan-African defence company, stressing that protecting the continent’s critical infrastructure is essential for long-term economic growth.As security challenges continue to influence Africa’s development, Terra Industries is positioning itself as a homegrown solution for safeguarding the continent’s industrial future.
Source: https://businessday.ng/
