Nigeria’s defence-technology sector is gaining another major vote of confidence after Terra Industries raised an additional $18 million, taking its total seed funding to $52 million.
The Abuja-based startup, founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachukwu and Maxwell Maduka, is using the fresh capital to expand its manufacturing capacity in Africa while establishing a stronger presence in international markets.
A major part of that expansion is the company’s Pax-2 manufacturing facility in Ghana. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, the 34,000-square-foot facility is expected to become Africa’s largest drone factory and could produce up to 50,000 aerial systems annually by 2028.
The latest funding also comes with plans for Terra to open its first international office in London, extending the company’s operations beyond Africa.
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Terra’s $52 Million Funding Round Supports Its African Expansion
The latest $18 million investment brings Terra Industries’ seed funding to $52 million. Existing investors including 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel participated in the latest round, while Norleo Space Investments and Grant Gordon also joined.
The company plans to use the capital across manufacturing, engineering, operations and business development. It also intends to increase deployments across Africa and other markets in the Global South.
Terra previously raised $34 million by February 2026 following an earlier $22 million funding round. The company has since continued to build its autonomous technology portfolio while securing contracts with governments and operators of critical infrastructure.
According to the company, its systems are already being used to support the protection of power plants, mines and other critical infrastructure assets valued at about $11 billion across several African countries.
The latest investment therefore comes at a time when demand for locally developed security and surveillance technology is increasing across the continent.
Ghana Factory Could Produce 50,000 Systems Annually by 2028
At the centre of Terra’s manufacturing strategy is Pax-2, its new facility in Ghana.
The 34,000-square-foot factory is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 and will significantly expand Terra’s production capacity beyond its existing 15,000-square-foot flagship facility in Abuja.
Once fully operational, Terra expects Pax-2 to produce as many as 50,000 aerial systems annually by 2028. The figure is a projected production target rather than its current output.
The Ghana facility also gives the company a second manufacturing base on the continent while Nigeria remains home to its original factory and founding team.
The expansion could allow Terra to manufacture closer to its African customers while creating room for the company to pursue opportunities in other markets. It also reflects a broader push by African technology companies to develop more of their products and infrastructure on the continent.
For Ghana, the project adds another layer to its growing position as a destination for technology, manufacturing and regional business expansion.
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Terra Takes Its African Defence-Tech Ambitions Global
Terra Industries was founded by Nwachukwu and Maduka when they were in their early twenties. In just two years, the company has developed a portfolio covering autonomous aerial, land and maritime systems, alongside surveillance technologies.
Its technology is designed for areas including infrastructure monitoring, security and surveillance, with customers spanning government and private-sector operators.
The company’s latest expansion will take it beyond Africa. Terra plans to open an office in London and is also establishing operations in other international markets, including San Francisco, while developing a presence in Washington, DC, to support partnerships and government engagement in the United States.
The company says its longer-term strategy is to expand across the Gulf, South America and South Asia, while continuing to manufacture in Africa.
The combination of new funding, expanded manufacturing and international offices places Terra among a growing group of African startups seeking to build globally relevant technology companies from the continent.
From Nigerian founders raising millions to African companies building products for global markets, the continent’s innovation story continues to evolve. Follow RefinedNG for more stories spotlighting the people, businesses and ideas shaping Africa’s future.