Nigerian drone maker Terrahaptix Inc. (Terra Industries) is beginning a new phase of regional expansion as it plans to open its first production plant outside of Nigeria in Ghana.
Founded by young engineers Nathan Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, the Abuja-based business is positioning Accra as its next production hub, aiming to meet burgeoning demand for autonomous aircraft and counter-drone systems across West Africa.
The facility in Ghana is intended to act as a regional production and deployment center for mid-range unmanned aerial systems, Bloomberg reports.
According to the corporation, the expansion is motivated by rising security concerns in the Sahel and West African corridors, where extremist organizations have increasingly used drone technology in asymmetric warfare.
According to Terra Industries, the new Ghanaian facility will produce autonomous aircraft and counter-drone solutions suited to the region’s increasing security risks.
This strategic expansion occurs at a time when West Africa’s security environment is getting increasingly technologically complicated.
See here: Terra Industries: A look into the $11 billion gamble to shield Africa
Armed organizations operating in the Sahel are increasingly using modified commercial drones, such as systems equipped with fibre optic control mechanisms that lessen electronic jamming vulnerabilities.
This transformation has necessitated a commensurate response from defense technology companies.
According to Nwachukwu, “We are now seeing tactics and technologies from conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe begin to appear in Africa.”
This shift has driven demand for more powerful counter-drone capabilities, driving companies like Terrahaptix to rapidly scale.
The drone company has previously successfully tested drone interception systems with many West African security partners, indicating a broader integration into regional defense supply chains.
To support this expansion, the company has committed to dramatically boosting manufacturing capacity, with internal estimations aiming for up to 50,000 units within two years, driven mostly by anticipated demand from defense agencies across the Economic Community of West African States.
The Ghana facility is nearing completion, with operations set to commence by mid-year.
Once fully operational, it will serve as the company’s primary manufacturing site outside of Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in its evolution from startup to regional military maker.
Terrahaptix has raised $34 million in successive quick investment rounds, with involvement from prominent venture capital firms including Lux Capital, as well as investors such as 8VC and Nova Global.
The speed with which the company raised funds, pushing its worth above $100 million within two years of its inception, is regarded as an exception in hardware-driven defense production.
