Nigeria’s Terra Industries to open Africa’s largest drone factory in Ghana

Two months after closing a $34 million funding round, Nigerian defense technology startup Terra Industries is preparing to open what it says will be Africa’s largest drone factory in Accra, Ghana, as it expands production of autonomous security systems designed to protect critical infrastructure across the continent. 

The Abuja-based company announced that construction of Pax-2, its second manufacturing facility, is nearing completion. The 34,000-square-foot plant in Accra will serve as Terra Industries’ main regional base for producing drones and counter-drone systems, marking a significant step in the startup’s expansion beyond Nigeria.

Defense capability drives African strategy

Pax-2 follows the company’s first factory, Pax-1, a 15,000-square-foot facility in Abuja. Once fully operational, the Ghana plant is expected to become the largest drone manufacturing site in Africa, with projected annual capacity of up to 50,000 units by 2028. The expansion comes after Terra secured $34 million in funding and as governments across the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa increase spending on surveillance and security technology.

Nathan Nwachuku, CEO of Terra Industries, said the decision to build in Ghana reflects a long-term strategy to strengthen regional manufacturing. “The only way Africa can achieve lasting peace is by building its own defense capabilities,” Nwachuku said. “We chose Ghana because of its talent pool, strategic location, and commitment to becoming a defense exporter. This is an important step toward building systems designed and produced on the continent.”

Facility to employ 120 engineers

Construction is in its final phase, and the facility is expected to begin operations by the end of June 2026. Terra Industries said the Ghana factory will create about 120 engineering jobs and operate around the clock to meet rising demand. The plant will manufacture several systems, including the Archer VTOL, a long-range surveillance platform; the Iroko UAV for tactical deployment; and Kama, a high-speed interceptor drone designed for counter-drone defense.

Terra said the Kama system can reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour and is designed for high-volume production. The expansion comes as security threats evolve across parts of Africa, where armed groups increasingly use modified commercial drones. Similar tactics seen in conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe have prompted governments to seek integrated systems combining surveillance, electronic warfare and interception.

Targets drones robotics cybersecurity production

Founded in 2024 by Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, Terra Industries develops autonomous systems for land, air and maritime operations. It currently operates a 15,000-square-foot facility in Abuja and plans to grow its teams in San Francisco and London. In February, the startup closed a $34 million funding round, including a $22 million extension led by New York-based venture capital firm Lux Capital, following an earlier $11.75 million raise.

Separately, Terra Industries has signed an agreement with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to establish a joint venture focused on local production, research and training. The partnership aims to support the manufacturing of drones, robotics and cybersecurity tools, while reducing reliance on imports and strengthening regional supply chains. The joint venture will operate as a DICON subsidiary and will focus on technology transfer, workforce training, and building advanced production lines.