Nigerian defence-technology startup Terra Industries has raised an additional $18 million, bringing its total seed funding to $52 million as it prepares to expand its drone manufacturing operations in Ghana and open its first international office in London.

The Abuja-based company, founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, develops autonomous aerial, land and maritime systems, including drones, interceptor drones, surveillance towers and unmanned ground vehicles.

Terra plans to open its new Pax-2 manufacturing facility in Ghana during the fourth quarter of 2026. The 34,000-square-foot factory is expected to become Africa’s largest drone factory once operational, according to the company.

The facility is projected to produce up to 50,000 aerial systems annually by 2028. Terra said the latest funding will support manufacturing, engineering, operations, business development and deployments across Africa and other markets in the Global South.

The new Ghana facility will complement Terra’s existing 15,000-square-foot factory in Abuja. The company says its technology is already being used to help protect power plants, mines and other critical infrastructure assets worth about $11 billion across several African countries.

The latest funding round included additional investments from existing backers such as 8VC, Silent Ventures, Nova Global, Belief Capital and SV Angel, while Norleo Space Investments and Grant Gordon also joined the round.

Beyond Africa, Terra plans to establish an office in London and expand its operations into markets across the Gulf, South America and South Asia.

The planned Ghana factory represents a major step in Terra Industries’ ambition to build advanced defence and security technology in Africa while expanding its reach into international markets. The company, however, has clarified that the factory is not yet operational; its opening is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.