Terra Industries to build Africa’s largest drone factory in Ghana
The 34,000 sq. ft facility comes after a $34 million raise
AFRNigerian defence technology startup Terra Industries has announced plans to build what it describes as the largest drone manufacturing facility on the African continent, marking a major step in the region’s push toward localised defence production.
The new facility, a 34,000-square-foot plant located in Accra, Ghana, will operate under the name Pax-2 and serve as the company’s primary regional manufacturing hub for drone and counter-drone systems. Construction is currently in its final phase, with full operations expected by June 2026.
Once completed, Pax-2 is projected to produce up to 50,000 units annually by 2028 and generate approximately 120 engineering jobs.
The facility will significantly expand Terra’s manufacturing capacity, more than doubling the size of its existing Pax-1 plant in Abuja, which spans 15,000 square feet.
The expansion follows Terra’s recent $34 million fundraising efforts, including an $11.75 million round led by 8VC founded by Joe Lonsdale and a subsequent $22 million raise led by Lux Capital.
The company said the funds will support scaling manufacturing operations and expanding engineering teams across Nigeria and other African markets.
At the Ghana facility, Terra will manufacture several of its flagship systems, including the Archer VTOL, a long-range surveillance and strike drone; the Iroko UAV, designed for rapid tactical deployment; and Kama, a high-speed interceptor drone capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h and built specifically for counter-drone defence.
The move comes amid shifting security dynamics across Africa, where non-state actors are increasingly deploying modified drones in conflict zones, mirroring tactics seen in parts of the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Terra aims to meet rising demand for integrated defence systems that combine surveillance, electronic warfare, and interception capabilities.
Speaking on the development, CEO Nathan Nwachuku said Africa must prioritise building its own defence capacity rather than relying on external security frameworks.
He added that Ghana was selected for the project due to its skilled workforce, strategic positioning, and growing ambition to become a defence manufacturing hub.
The announcement follows a joint venture agreement signed in February between Terra and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), aimed at strengthening local defence production through technology transfer, manufacturing, and supply chain development.
Founded in 2024 by Nwachuku and Maxwell Maduka, Terra Industries formerly Terrahaptix positions its Pax factory network as central to its broader vision of “Pax Africana,” focused on enabling Africa to design, produce, and control its own defence technologies.
While the company’s ambitions remain subject to geopolitical, regulatory, and operational challenges, its recent funding, strategic partnerships, and expansion into Ghana signal a growing momentum for indigenous defence innovation across the continent.
TNAM
Edited By Egwu Patience Nnennaya
