Keypoints:
- Gen Z-founded Terra Industries secures $11.75m in fresh funding
- Startup builds autonomous systems to protect African infrastructure
- Manufacturing remains in Africa as software expands globally
A NIGERIAN defence technology startup founded by two young engineers is positioning itself at the centre of Africa’s growing security debate, arguing that the continent’s industrial future depends on protecting its critical infrastructure from escalating threats.
Terra Industries, a company building autonomous surveillance and response systems for governments and private operators, has emerged from stealth with $11.75million in new funding. The round was led by 8VC, the venture capital firm founded by Joe Lonsdale, with participation from Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel and Nova Global.
The raise, first reported by TechCrunch, brings Terra’s total funding to more than $12.5 million, following an earlier $800,000 pre-seed round. African investors in the company include Tofino Capital, Kaleo Ventures and DFS Lab.
‘An industrial moment under threat’
Terra’s chief executive and co-founder, 22-year-old Nathan Nwachuku, said the company was born from a stark realisation about Africa’s trajectory. After spending five years building an education technology company, he concluded that the continent was on the cusp of rapid industrial growth — but also uniquely vulnerable.
Africa now records more terrorism-related deaths than any other region globally. For Nwachuku, that insecurity represents not just a humanitarian crisis, but a direct economic risk.
‘Africa is at an industrial moment,’ he said. ‘There is capital, there is talent, and there is ambition. But insecurity is the single biggest factor that can slow that progress or stop it entirely.’
He co-founded Terra Industries with Maxwell Maduka, 24, who serves as chief technology officer, with the stated ambition of building what they describe as Africa’s first ‘defence prime’: a company capable of designing and manufacturing end-to-end autonomous security systems on the continent.
Military experience meets software
Terra is headquartered in Abuja and draws heavily on local military expertise. Around 40 percent of its engineering team previously served in technical roles within the Nigerian armed forces. Maduka himself is a former Nigerian Navy engineer who founded a drone company as a teenager.
The company’s advisory bench includes Nigeria’s Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi, while 8VC partner Alex Moore, a specialist in defence investments, sits on the board.
blend of military and software experience underpins Terra’s product strategy, which takes what it describes as a ‘multi-domain’ approach to infrastructure protection.
Drones, towers and geofencing
Terra builds systems designed to monitor threats across land, air and, eventually, water. Its aerial portfolio includes both long-range and short-range drones. On the ground, the company deploys surveillance towers and autonomous ground vehicles capable of persistent monitoring around sensitive sites.
Maritime capabilities are still under development, with a focus on protecting offshore oil platforms and underwater pipelines — assets that have increasingly been targeted by sabotage and theft in parts of West Africa.
All of Terra’s hardware is connected through its proprietary software platform, ArtemisOS, which aggregates sensor data, analyses it in real time and flags threats to response teams.
‘We want to geofence Africa’s critical infrastructure,’ Nwachuku said. ‘The issue isn’t firepower. Many African militaries already have that. The gap is intelligence.’
Reducing reliance on foreign intelligence
A core part of Terra’s pitch is sovereignty. Much of the actionable intelligence used by African states today is supplied by external partners, including Western governments, China and Russia.
Terra argues that this dependency leaves countries exposed and limits their ability to respond quickly to local threats.
‘Our aim is to put the defence of African resources back into African hands,’ Nwachuku said. ‘This is about building sovereign intelligence capability.’
That message appears to be resonating with both public and private clients. Terra recently secured its first federal government contract, although it declined to disclose details. Commercially, it has already generated more than $2.5 million in revenue and says it is currently protecting assets valued at roughly $11bn.
Mines, power plants and expansion plans
Much of that revenue comes from private infrastructure operators, including mining companies and energy producers. Terra says it is currently securing at least two hydropower plants and several smaller mining operations, with most clients based in Nigeria.
The new funding will be used to scale both manufacturing and software development. Terra plans to open software offices in San Francisco and London to attract global engineering talent, while keeping all manufacturing on the African continent.
More defence factories are planned across Africa, a strategy the company says will support job creation and local industrial capacity.
For Nwachuku, the mission remains existential.
‘Africa is in a struggle for its future,’ he said. ‘If we are serious about breaking the cycles that have held the continent back, then protecting our core infrastructure and resources is non-negotiable.’
