Palantir Co-Founder Backs Nigerian Startup Terra in $11.8M Round

Key Takeaways

Terra’s funding highlights rising investor interest in African defense technology as insecurity increasingly threatens infrastructure, energy projects, and mining operations across the continent. Governments and companies are seeking locally built surveillance and intelligence systems as threats grow more complex and widespread. Unlike many early-stage startups, Terra already operates a 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Abuja and has deployed products in live environments. The company says it has signed more than $50 million in commercial and government contracts, far exceeding its venture funding to date. Africa holds more than 30% of global critical mineral reserves, making infrastructure protection a strategic priority. Terror groups have increasingly targeted mining sites, pipelines, and power facilities to finance operations, raising demand for persistent surveillance and rapid-response systems. For investors like 8VC and Palantir-linked executives, Terra represents a rare combination of defense manufacturing, real-world deployment, and local engineering talent. The bet is that Africa will not only consume security technology but also become a producer, building its own industrial base for counterterrorism and resource protection as instability spreads across the region.