On January 12, 2026, Terra Industries, a tech startup based in Abuja, announced a $11.75 million funding round aimed at building autonomous defense capabilities for Nigeria, marking a bold shift in how African nations approach security and military sovereignty.
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Tech-Fueled Ambition to End Defense Dependence
Founded by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, aged 22 and 24, respectively, Terra Industries embodies a new generation of African entrepreneurs with a strategic vision. Their goal is to create the first large-scale African defense manufacturer capable of designing autonomous systems tailored to the continent’s unique security challenges. They intend to move Nigeria away from its long-standing reliance on foreign military imports, a concern that has gained traction in Nigeria’s strategic circles.
This vision has attracted a diverse mix of investors. The $11.75 million raised came from both American and African firms. Among the major backers are 8VC, a well-known Silicon Valley fund, along with Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, and SV Angel. From the African continent, Tofino Capital and Kaleo Ventures also participated, signaling growing confidence in regional defense autonomy and tech-driven innovation. With this funding, Terra Industries becomes one of the best-financed startups in the West African defense sector.
Custom Tech for Nigeria’s Defense
Terra Industries is focused on developing a complete ecosystem of autonomous defense solutions. These include aerial surveillance drones capable of medium and long-range missions, stationary surveillance towers, unmanned ground vehicles, and maritime platforms built to monitor and protect Nigeria’s vulnerable coastal areas. All systems are integrated through ArtemisOS, a proprietary software developed in-house to detect potential threats in real time, particularly against strategic industrial and energy assets.
The company reports that it is already safeguarding infrastructure assets across Nigeria valued at approximately $11 billion. These include power plants and mining facilities deemed critical to the country’s economic stability. To date, Terra Industries has generated around $2.5 million in commercial revenue, positioning itself not only as an emerging innovator but as an active player in protecting Nigeria’s most sensitive sites.
Fast Tech for Tough Missions
What strengthens Terra’s credibility is its recruitment strategy. The company employs several engineers with direct backgrounds in Nigeria’s armed forces. This military expertise, combined with tech-driven agility, allows the company to design systems that are more aligned with the operational needs on the ground. The founders argue that this unique combination gives them a tactical edge in delivering practical and scalable defense technologies.
The capital injection will allow Terra to expand its manufacturing capabilities, accelerate research and development, and attract high-level technical talent, especially in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems engineering.
