Terra Industries, a Nigerian defense technology startup focused on protecting critical infrastructure, has raised $11.75 million in a funding round led by Joe Lonsdale’s venture firm 8VC, the company announced on Monday.
The Abuja-based startup was founded by Nathan Nwachuku, 22, and Maxwell Maduka, 24, to address security challenges across Africa through autonomous systems and real-time intelligence. The company designs drones, surveillance towers, and software platforms to help governments and organisations monitor and respond to threats.
Other investors in the round include Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, Nova Global, Tofino Capital, Kaleo Ventures and DFS Lab. Terra had previously raised an $800,000 pre-seed round and attracted investor interest following a feature on CNN, Nwachuku said.
“The goal is to build Africa’s first defense prime — to develop autonomous defense systems that protect critical infrastructure and natural resources from armed attacks,” Nwachuku, who serves as chief executive officer, said. Maduka is the company’s chief technology officer.
Terra’s engineering team includes former members of Nigeria’s armed forces, with the company saying about 40% of its engineers previously held similar roles in the military. Maduka, a former Nigerian Navy engineer, founded a drone company at the age of 19. Nigeria’s Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi serves as an advisor, while 8VC partner Alex Moore sits on the board.
The company takes a multi-domain approach to security, developing long- and short-range drones for aerial surveillance, ground-based monitoring towers and ground drones. It is also working on maritime technologies aimed at protecting offshore oil rigs and underwater pipelines.
At the core of its offerings is ArtemisOS, Terra’s proprietary software platform that aggregates and analyses data in real time to detect threats and alert response agencies. Nwachuku said the company aims to “geofence” critical infrastructure across the continent, arguing that Africa’s challenge is not firepower but the lack of sovereign intelligence capabilities.
Terra recently secured its first federal government contract, though it declined to provide details. The company generates revenue through system sales and annual fees for data processing and storage. It said it has generated more than $2.5 million in commercial revenue and is currently protecting assets valued at about $11 billion, including hydropower plants and mining facilities, primarily in Nigeria.
The startup plans to use the new funding to expand manufacturing capacity across Africa, grow its artificial intelligence team and enhance its software capabilities. While Terra will open software offices in San Francisco and London, it said manufacturing will remain on the continent to support local job creation.
“Africa is in an existential struggle over the security of its resources and infrastructure,” Nwachuku said. “Protecting them is fundamental to the continent’s future growth.”
