Nigeria’s defence technology sector is attracting a new wave of capital, and Terra Industries is emerging as one of its most closely watched players.
The Nigerian autonomous security company has raised an additional $18 million, bringing its total seed funding to $52 million. The latest investment includes participation from existing backers 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel, alongside new investor Norleo Space Investments and angel investor Grant Gordon.
Terra is building autonomous security systems designed specifically for the operating conditions of Africa and other markets across the Global South.
Its technology portfolio includes long- and mid-range autonomous drones, interceptor drones, sentry towers and unmanned ground vehicles. These systems are connected through ArtemisOS, Terra’s proprietary software platform, which supports threat detection, autonomous mission planning and coordinated responses.
From Nigeria to the Global South
The company’s expansion is not limited to funding its technology.
Terra plans to open its Pax-2 manufacturing facility in Ghana in the fourth quarter of 2026. At 34,000 square feet, the facility is expected to become the largest drone manufacturing facility in Africa when fully operational. It will complement the company’s existing 15,000-square-foot Pax-1 facility in Abuja.
The company is also expanding internationally, with plans for a London office as it seeks to build a stronger presence in global defence and technology markets.
Terra says its systems are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure from threats including infrastructure sabotage, illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism.
Why It Matters
Terra’s strategy reflects a broader argument around technological sovereignty.
Rather than relying entirely on imported security systems, the company wants governments and infrastructure operators in the Global South to have access to systems designed and manufactured closer to the environments where they will operate.
That could have implications beyond security. Local manufacturing can create engineering capabilities, supply chains and technical expertise while giving governments greater control over the technology, software and data supporting critical infrastructure.
With $52 million in seed funding, Terra now has significantly more capital to turn that ambition into a larger industrial operation.
For Nigeria and Africa, the bigger story may therefore not simply be another startup raising millions.
It is the emergence of an African company attempting to build security technology on the continent and sell it to the rest of the Global South.
