Nigerian drone startup Terra Industries, formerly known as TerraHaptix, has won a $1.2 million contract to secure two hydropower plants, edging out a consortium led by an Israeli defense technology firm. The deal marks a milestone for Africa’s growing drone industry and underlines the rising global competitiveness of indigenous tech startups.
The contract will see Terra Industries deploy a fleet of 12 autonomous drones and over 35 surveillance towers to monitor critical energy infrastructure. The unnamed hydropower plants, according to the company, have historically been vulnerable to banditry and terrorist activity.
“This deployment is not just about surveillance—it’s a deterrent,” said Nathan Nwachuku, the 22-year-old CEO of Terra Industries. “Persistent aerial coverage changes the threat landscape entirely, especially in remote areas where traditional security has fallen short.”
Founded in Abuja, the company began local manufacturing of drones in April 2024 and has quickly scaled to serve clients across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Its products are designed for industrial applications in sectors such as mining, oil, agriculture, and increasingly, energy.
With features including autonomous flight paths, real-time data feeds, and wide-area thermal imaging, Terra’s drones aim to offer scalable alternatives to manned patrols and static security systems. The startup reports over $1 million in revenue since launch.
“Right now, our fastest-growing market is the power sector,” Nwachuku added. “Aging infrastructure and rising security risks are pushing utilities to adopt smarter, tech-driven defenses.”
The deal also signals a turning point in local capacity: for the first time, a Nigerian drone startup has outbid an established foreign player for a major infrastructure security contract—an indicator of growing investor confidence in African-built solutions.
Industry analysts say drones can cut security costs for energy firms by up to 30% while boosting coverage efficiency. The technology’s use in remote infrastructure monitoring is also expanding as regulations across Africa begin to accommodate autonomous systems.
As Africa faces both a digital revolution and mounting infrastructure risks, Terra Industries’ success underscores the region’s broader tech momentum—where innovation is increasingly being led, built, and scaled from within.
