African deep-tech startup Terra Industries has secured $11.75 million in funding as it makes a decisive return to the continent’s defence and security market, signalling renewed focus on protecting critical infrastructure across Africa.
Formerly known as Terrahaptix, the company had previously stepped back from explicitly branding itself as a defence firm. That hesitation is now over.
According to co-founder and CEO Nathan Nwachukwu, the scale of security threats facing Africa has made a clear identity unavoidable.
“Africa’s infrastructure is expanding rapidly, but insecurity remains its biggest vulnerability,” Nwachukwu said. “Protecting power plants, dams, mines, and refineries is no longer optional. We are fully embracing our role as a defence company.”
Backed by U.S. Defence-Savvy Investors
The funding round was led by 8VC, the venture firm founded by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, and includes participation from Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, Leblon Capital, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, and several high-profile angel investors.
Among them is Alex Moore, a Palantir board member, alongside California-based investor Meyer Malka. Terra says it deliberately chose investors with deep experience in defence and national security rather than generalist technology backers.
“The defence industry operates under very different rules,” Nwachukwu explained. “Getting the governance, compliance, and long-term structure right is critical when you’re responsible for safeguarding assets worth trillions of dollars.”
Strengthening Leadership and Manufacturing
Alongside the funding, Terra has strengthened its board with defence-sector expertise. Eliot Pence, a former executive at U.S. defence unicorn Anduril, recently joined the board, while Alex Moore has also taken on a board role.
The company plans to use the new capital to expand its manufacturing footprint, build additional factories, and hire more engineers to increase production capacity for its defence technologies.
These investments are already showing results. Within a year of launching, Terra recorded $2 million in total orders, and in 2025 it won a $1.2 million contract to secure hydropower dams, beating out an Israeli competitor.
Securing Africa’s Industrial Growth
Terra currently helps protect infrastructure assets valued at approximately $11 billion across multiple African countries. While it has worked extensively with commercial clients in mining, oil, and energy, the company now plans to prioritise government contracts, which it sees as both mission-aligned and commercially significant.
Co-founder and CTO Maxwell Maduka emphasised that despite having foreign investors, Terra remains deeply rooted in Africa.
“This is African technology, built by African engineers, for African infrastructure,” Maduka said. “We’re creating skilled jobs, building advanced manufacturing capacity, and keeping the intellectual property behind Africa’s security on the continent.”
Competing in a Growing Drone and Defence Market
Terra operates in an increasingly competitive African drone and defence ecosystem, alongside companies like Sora, which has raised millions to deploy AI-powered drones across various sectors.
Terra’s Archer Drone is one of its flagship products, though the company says its solutions extend well beyond aerial systems.
With Silicon Valley backing and a renewed defence focus, Terra is positioning itself as a rare example of an African-founded defence technology company competing at a global standard.
For Nwachukwu, the company’s mission has evolved—but its core purpose remains unchanged.
“Africa is industrialising faster than any other region,” he said. “But none of that progress will matter if we don’t solve insecurity. Our goal is to give Africa the technological edge it needs to protect its future.”
