African defence technology startup Terra Industries has raised $11.75 million in seed funding to expand locally built security and autonomous defence systems across the continent. The round positions the Nigerian startup as one of the most well-funded early-stage defence tech companies in Africa.
The funding was first reported by TechCrunch, which described Terra as part of a new wave of young African founders aiming to reduce the continent’s reliance on foreign military and surveillance systems.
Investors Backing Africa’s Defence Ambitions
The round was led by 8VC, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm founded by Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir. Other investors participating in the round include:
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Valor Equity Partners
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Lux Capital
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SV Angel
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Nova Global
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Tofino Capital
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Kaleo Ventures
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DFS Lab
BusinessDay reports that the mix of U.S. deep-tech investors and Africa-focused funds signals growing confidence in indigenous defence and infrastructure security startups on the continent.
Founded by Young Nigerian Engineers
Terra Industries was founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku (CEO) and Maxwell Maduka (CTO).
Maduka is a former Nigerian Navy UAV engineer who previously built and exited a drone startup as a teenager. Nwachuku, who is in his early twenties, previously worked on education and technology ventures before turning his focus to security and infrastructure protection.
According to Tech Africa News, the founders believe Africa’s growing industrial base cannot scale without solving long-standing security challenges.
What Terra Industries Is Building
Terra Industries is working to become a vertically integrated African defence prime, combining hardware manufacturing with proprietary software.
Its current products and platforms include:
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Autonomous aerial drones for surveillance and threat detection
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Fixed surveillance towers and ground systems
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ArtemisOS, a proprietary command and control software platform that aggregates sensor data, flags threats, and supports real-time response
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Early development of maritime and offshore infrastructure security systems
The company manufactures its hardware locally from a 15,000-square-foot facility in Abuja, Nigeria, a deliberate move to build technical capacity and reduce dependence on imported defence equipment.
Traction Before the Fundraise
Despite being a relatively young company, Terra Industries entered its seed round with strong commercial and operational traction already in place. Before raising external capital, the startup had generated more than $2.5 million in revenue, largely from active deployments securing high-value assets across the continent. Its systems are currently used to protect critical infrastructure worth over $11 billion, spanning sectors such as energy generation, mining, and industrial operations, where security disruptions can have significant economic consequences.
In addition, Terra has secured a federal government contract, underscoring growing institutional confidence in its technology, although specific details of the agreement have not been disclosed. The company operates a hybrid business model that combines the sale of physical defence hardware with recurring revenue from software, analytics, and data services, providing both upfront income and long-term, subscription-based cash flow.
How the Funding Will Be Used
Terra says the fresh capital will be used to accelerate both its technical and geographic expansion while maintaining a strong focus on local production. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capacity within Africa, allowing it to meet growing demand while deepening its hardware capabilities on the continent. It also intends to hire additional engineers across AI, robotics, and defence systems, strengthening its core technology teams as it develops more advanced autonomous and surveillance platforms.
Alongside this, Terra aims to scale deployments across multiple African countries, extending protection to more critical infrastructure assets. On the international front, the startup plans to open software and coordination offices in San Francisco and London, positioning itself closer to global talent and strategic partners, while keeping all manufacturing operations rooted in Africa. According to the company, maintaining local production is central to its long-term strategy around technological sovereignty, workforce development, and sustainable skills transfer.
Strategic Oversight and Advisory Support
As part of the investment, Alex Moore, partner at 8VC and a defence-focused investor, has joined Terra’s board. Moore also serves on the board of Palantir.
The company is also advised by Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi, adding military leadership experience to Terra’s technical team.
Why This Matters
Africa remains one of the most affected regions globally by terrorism, infrastructure sabotage, and security-related disruptions. Yet much of its defence and surveillance infrastructure is imported, expensive, and poorly adapted to local terrain and conditions.
Terra Industries’ raise highlights three broader shifts:
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Growing investor interest in African deep tech, beyond fintech
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Rising demand for locally built security infrastructure
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A push toward technological sovereignty in critical sectors
If successful, Terra could become a blueprint for how African startups approach defence, security, and industrial protection at scale.
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