These Gen Zers just raised $11.75M to put Africa’s defense back in the hands of Africans

Nathan Nwachuku, 22, and Maxwell Maduka, 24, co-founded Terra, a Nigerian defense technology company aiming to address Africa’s critical security challenges amid rapid industrialization. After raising $11.75 million in a funding round led by 8VC and supported by prominent investors including Valor Equity Partners and African firms like Tofino Capital, Terra emerged from stealth mode with a mission to build Africa’s first defense prime contractor. The company develops autonomous defense systems—such as long- and short-range drones, surveillance towers, and ground drones—to protect critical infrastructure across land, air, and water domains. Terra’s proprietary software, ArtemisOS, collects and analyzes real-time data to detect threats and alert response forces, aiming to reduce Africa’s reliance on foreign intelligence. Terra’s team includes significant military expertise, with 40% of its engineers having served in the Nigerian military, and advisory support from high-ranking officials like Vice Air Marshal Ayo Jolasinmi. The company has generated