A Nigerian startup, Terrahaptix led by Nathan Nwachukwu, a 22-year-old university dropout, has won a $1.2 million security contract to protect two hydroelectric power plants from bandits.
The Nigerian based autonomous systems company secured the five-year deal through private security firm Nethawk Solutions after withstanding competition from an Israeli firm.
The contract involves deploying AI-powered drones and solar-powered sentry towers to safeguard the plants. The deal also includes a recurring six-figure annual subscription for Terrahaptix’s software, which provides steady, long-term revenue for the young company.
“This is our biggest contract so far, and our first in the hydroelectric sector,” said Nathan Nwachuku, Terrahaptix’s 22-year-old CEO.
Terrahaptix will supply around 10 drones alongside several sentry towers, all integrated with its proprietary Artemis OS, an AI-driven system that can detect and classify threats including bandits, their numbers, and even estimate their ammunition levels.
Bandits have reportedly been using the hydro plants as hideouts and speaking on the contract, the company’s CEO said.
“We provide an end-to-end solution, combining aerial, ground, and maritime systems all powered by our own operating system. This integration creates a seamless experience for our clients.”
Terrahaptix’s approach is similar to how global tech giants like Apple create ecosystems that lock in users by ensuring hardware and software work perfectly together.
About Terrahaptix
The company founded by Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, runs a 15,000-square-foot factory in Abuja’s Idu Industrial District and serves clients in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo with about 75% of its sales coming from outside Nigeria.
In 2024, the startup reported $2 million in orders and with this new contract is set to potentially double that figure in 2025.
Terrahaptix’s product lineup includes the Archer VTOL drone for aerial surveillance and the Duma ground drone for on-site monitoring, both powered by Artemis OS, which allows real-time threat detection and response.
By sourcing 80% of its materials locally and focusing on cost-effective manufacturing, Terrahaptix offers its products at prices more than 50% lower than many competitors, fueling its rapid growth.
Speaking on the significance of the contract, “Our goal is to become Africa’s leading provider of autonomous security solutions for critical infrastructure,” Nwachuku said.
“This contract is a major milestone toward that vision.”
