Nigerian Defense Startup Terra Raises $18M, Expands to Ghana

Nigeria's Terra Industries is building the future of African defense technology, one drone at a time.

The startup just secured $18 million in new funding to open a massive production facility in Ghana and expand its reach across the Global South. It's part of a $52 million seed round that's helping Terra become Africa's answer to major defense tech companies.

CEO Nathan Nwachuku says the mission started with protecting Africa but has grown much bigger. "Countries in the Global South are looking to build sovereign military and defense capabilities, often designed around affordability, autonomy, and local operational realities," he told Resilience Media.

Terra makes drones and unmanned ground vehicles designed to protect critical infrastructure and respond to threats like terrorism, border insecurity, and illegal extraction. Their products include the Archer drone, the Iroko quadcopter for first response, and even mine-detecting ground vehicles.

The company already has $100 million in contracts and expects tens of millions in revenue this year. That's impressive for any startup, but especially one headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Ripple Effect

Terra's expansion means more than just business growth. The new 34,000 square foot facility in Ghana will become the largest drone factory on the African continent when it opens in late 2026, producing 50,000 units annually by 2028.

That manufacturing capacity keeps jobs and expertise in Africa instead of relying on foreign suppliers from China, Turkey, or Western countries. Nwachuku notes that depending on external suppliers has actually created instability, making conflicts "particularly prone to foreign meddling."

By building locally, Terra gives African nations more control over their own security. The company is also opening a London office to access talent and investors as it expands into the Gulf, South America, and South Asia.

Other African defense tech companies like Terrahaptix, Proforce, and FalconEye Labs are emerging too, creating a homegrown industry where one barely existed before. Terra remains the most ambitious, sometimes calling itself "The Anduril of Africa."

The funding came from existing investors including 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital, and SV Angel, plus newcomers Norleo Space Investments and Grant Gordon. A Series A round is already in the works to fund manufacturing at even larger scale.

Africa is building its own solutions to its own challenges, and the world is taking notice.