Nigeria’s Terra Industries gets $18 million in extended seed round

Terra Industries, a Nigerian defence technology startup, has raised an additional $18 million, extending its seed round for the second time this year and bringing the total funding it has raised to $51.7 million.

The latest extension follows two funding announcements earlier in 2026. In January, Terra Industries announced an $11.7 million round before raising a further $22 million in February. Existing investors 8VC and Nova Global participated in both rounds, signalling continued confidence in the company’s strategy and growth prospects.

The latest $18 million extension includes participation from existing investors 8VC, Nova Global, Silent Ventures, Belief Capital, and SV Angel. It also brings two new investors into the company: Norleo Space Investments and angel investor Grant Gordon.

Terra Industries plans to use the fresh capital to expand its manufacturing capacity and grow its teams across engineering, operations, and business development. The company is also looking to deepen its relationships with existing customers, including the Nigerian Army, while expanding into new markets.

As part of its international expansion, Terra Industries will open its first office outside Africa in London. The move could give the company closer access to institutional customers, artificial intelligence talent, investors, and potential partners as it looks to build a larger presence beyond the continent.

The company is also investing in the talent pipeline needed to support its expansion.

In July, Terra Industries announced a partnership with Miva University to establish integrated robotics and drone laboratories across the university’s learning centres. Through the partnership, students are expected to learn how to design, assemble, test, and fly drones. The initiative could help the company develop a larger pool of locally trained talent as demand for its products grows.

Terra Industries has also strengthened its leadership team this year, including the appointment of Nnamdi Chife as vice president of military relations. The hire comes as the company works to expand its relationships with military customers and increase its production capacity.

Despite its international ambitions, Terra Industries says manufacturing will remain anchored in Africa. The company currently operates two manufacturing facilities, one in Nigeria and another in Ghana. Its Ghana facility, Pax-2, is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 and is being touted by the company as the largest drone factory on the continent.

Beyond Africa, Terra Industries is also exploring manufacturing opportunities in the Middle East. In February, it announced a partnership with Saudi Arabian company AIC Steel to establish a manufacturing hub in Saudi Arabia, giving it a potential foothold in the region’s defence industry.

The company’s recent fundraising, manufacturing investments, partnerships, and international expansion point to a broader effort to scale Terra Industries from an African defence technology startup into a company serving customers across multiple markets, while keeping a significant part of its manufacturing and talent development footprint on the continent.