January 14, 2026
New investments provide possibilities to Black tech founders who understand local terrain as well as the operational requirements and regulatory environments needed to succeed.
Nigerian drone startup Terra Industries has recently secured an impressive $11.8 million investment from American tech billionaire Joe Lonsdale. This funding highlights a growing interest in Africa’s defense technology landscape, as reported by Business Insider Africa.
Founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, the Abuja-based startup specializes in designing and manufacturing mid and long-range drones, autonomous sentry towers, and uncrewed ground vehicles. Notably, the company emphasizes home-grown innovation, with most of its design, manufacturing, and system production undertaken in Africa.
Nwachuku believes this investment comes at a pivotal time, underscoring how crucial it is for the world to recognize Africa’s progress. “Africa is industrializing faster than any other region, with new mines, refineries, and power plants emerging every month,” he noted. Yet, he points out a significant challenge: “None of that progress will matter if we don’t solve the continent’s greatest Achilles’ heel, which is insecurity and terrorism.”
The funding from Lonsdale, co-founder of data integration company Palantir, was facilitated through his venture firm 8VC, in partnership with defense expert Alex Moore. Terra’s list of investors also includes notable firms like Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, and SV Angel—all known for their involvement in the autonomous defense technology sector. This funding trend aligns with a broader push from Silicon Valley, where several investors have backed companies like Anduril, propelling it into a $30 billion empire.
With security concerns escalating in West Africa, particularly with terrorist groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda expanding their influence in regions including Mali and Nigeria, the implications of such investments are profound. Consequently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared a state of emergency in the area, prompting a significant uptick in demand for advanced security solutions.
Terra Industries has announced that the funds will be channeled towards expanding its manufacturing capabilities and advancing its cross-border security and counter-terrorism operations. This strategic direction positions the startup as a frontrunner in both technological advancements and addressing urgent security needs within the continent.
The rise of security threats has major implications for industries like mining, energy production, and governmental operations, all of which increasingly seek autonomous surveillance and perimeter defense systems capable of covering large areas without the constraints of traditional security forces. Currently, Terra Industries provides security solutions for infrastructure assets across Africa, which are valued at nearly $11 billion, including operations in gold and lithium mining in Ghana and hydropower facilities in Nigeria.
This influx of investment not only reinforces Terra’s role in securing vital infrastructure but also illuminates the potential for Black tech founders who possess an intimate understanding of local terrains, operational prerequisites, and regulatory dynamics essential for success in Africa’s burgeoning tech landscape.
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