Nigerian autonomous systems company Terra Industries has raised an additional $18 million, bringing its total seed funding to $52 million as it expands its manufacturing operations in Ghana and enters major international markets.
The latest funding brings fresh plans for the two-year-old company, including the opening of offices in London, Washington DC and San Francisco.
Terra said the London office will be its first outside Africa, while its Washington presence will focus on engagement with the US government and defence industry. The San Francisco office will provide the company with access to the technology and venture capital communities in the United States.
The latest round was backed by existing investors 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel, while Norleo Space Investments joined as a new investor.
The company did not disclose its latest valuation, however, its Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Nwachuku, said Terra had reached a nine-figure valuation following a $22 million seed extension led by Lux Capital in February.
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Founded in 2024 by Nwachuku and Chief Technology Officer Maxwell Maduka, Terra has raised funding at a rapid pace since its launch.
The company raised $11.75 million in January from 8VC and other investors before securing the $22 million extension, bringing its total seed funding to about $52 million.
Terra is also putting more money into its manufacturing operations in Ghana, where it is expanding the Pax-2 facility.
The 34,000-square-foot facility, described by Terra as Africa’s largest drone factory, is expected to produce up to 50,000 autonomous systems annually when fully operational.
The expansion gives Terra a business structure that is unusual for an African technology startup, with its manufacturing base remaining on the continent while the company builds commercial and government-facing operations in Europe and the United States.
The company said the new funding will help it expand into other markets across the Global South and develop businesses around its defence deployments.
The planned Washington DC office is expected to be particularly important as Terra seeks to build relationships in the US defence market.
Washington is home to major government agencies, policymakers and defence contractors involved in procurement and partnerships.
Terra said its presence in the US capital will support government engagement and partnerships, while the San Francisco office will bring it closer to technology companies, investors and the wider venture capital ecosystem.
The London office will provide the company with access to European markets.
Terra’s expansion comes as African countries increasingly look to locally developed technology for security and defence needs, particularly amid growing security challenges across parts of the continent.
Rather than moving its manufacturing operations abroad, Terra is keeping Africa at the centre of its production plans while using its new international offices to pursue customers, investors, partnerships and government contracts.
The company is now positioning itself not simply as a Nigerian startup seeking foreign markets, but as an African defence technology company with ambitions to compete internationally.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
