Abuja, Nigeria — January 12, 2026 — Terra Industries, the defense technology startup co-founded by Nathan Nwachukwu and Maxwell Maduka, has successfully raised $11.75 million in a major funding round led by U.S. venture capital firm 8VC, signaling strong global confidence in Africa’s emerging security tech ecosystem.
The round brought together a powerhouse group of investors, including Valor Equity Partners, Lux Capital, SV Angel, Leblon Capital, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, and notable angel backers such as Micky Malka. Alex Moore, Defense Partner at 8VC and a board director at Palantir Technologies, also joined Terra’s board last year, bringing deep defense-sector expertise.
The mission
The fresh capital will be used to expand Terra’s manufacturing capacity, build out its engineering and software teams, and scale deployments of its autonomous defense systems across African markets.
Founded in 2024, Terra Industries designs and manufactures autonomous security and defense platforms tailored to the unique threats facing the continent. Its portfolio includes long- and mid-range drones, autonomous sentry towers, unmanned ground vehicles, and maritime surveillance systems—all integrated through its proprietary software platform, ArtemisOS, for real-time threat detection and coordinated response across land, air, and sea.
Industry impact
Africa is undergoing rapid industrialization, with nearly $100 billion invested annually into infrastructure and the continent holding roughly 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves. However, insecurity, organized crime, and militant activities continue to disrupt operations, especially in remote regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel.
Terra’s technology is already deployed to protect critical infrastructure worth approximately $11 billion, including power plants in Nigeria, hydropower facilities in northern Nigeria, and mining operations in Ghana and Nigeria. The company’s systems are being used by both public sector entities and private corporations to improve security and operational continuity.
What it means for the Defense ecosystem
Investors’ participation from established U.S. venture capital firms underscores growing global interest in African deep tech and demonstrates confidence in startups addressing security challenges with locally relevant solutions. Terra’s success may catalyze further funding into defense, robotics, and advanced tech sectors across the continent.
For governments and commercial operators alike, Terra’s autonomous systems offer a scalable alternative to traditional security measures—particularly in environments where conventional models struggle. The expanded funding will accelerate deployments and could see Terra participating in border security, counterterrorism initiatives, and cross-regional defense collaborations as instability rises in certain areas.