In the bustling heart of Abuja, two young Nigerian innovators are redefining what it means to build homegrown defense technology in Africa.

Nathan Nwachuku, 22, and Maxwell Maduka, 24, have co-founded Terra Industries, a startup that designs and manufactures autonomous drones and security systems and just raised $11.8 million in a seed funding round led by venture firm 8VC, chaired by Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale.

Since launching in 2024, Terra has quickly emerged from stealth with a bold mission: deliver African-built defense technology for the continent’s toughest security challenges. It’s product lineup includes long and mid range drones, autonomous sentry towers, and unmanned ground vehicles all developed at a state-of-the-art facility in Abuja.

“Africa is building new mines, refineries, and power plants faster than anywhere else. But none of that progress matters if we don’t address the continent’s greatest challenge: insecurity and terrorism,” says Nwachuku, Terra’s co-founder and CEO.

Investors clearly agree with the founders’ vision. Alongside 8VC, participants in the round include Lux Capital, Valor Equity Partners, SV Angel, Leblon Capital, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, and angel investors like Meyer Malka from Ribbit Capital. Alex Moore, a defense-focused partner at 8VC and a Palantir board member, joined Terra’s board last year, adding strategic depth to the startup’s leadership.

The funding will be deployed to scale manufacturing capacity and accelerate the deployment of Terra’s autonomous systems across Africa. With regional security threats rising, particularly from groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda, Terra’s African-centric approach could shift how governments and infrastructure operators protect critical assets valued at an estimated $11 billion across the continent.

For Nwachuku and Maduka both members of Gen Z Terra isn’t just a business; it’s a statement. At an age when many peers are just launching careers, they’re positioning Nigeria at the forefront of defense tech innovation, proving that global-scale solutions can indeed be built in Africa, by Africans.