Terra Industries has announced plans to build a new drone manufacturing facility in Accra, marking a major step toward expanding Africa’s defence technology capacity. The 34,000-square-foot plant, named Pax-2, will serve as the company’s main regional hub for producing drones and counter-drone systems, following the earlier Pax-1 facility in Abuja.
The new plant is expected to become the largest drone factory on the continent, with an annual production capacity of 50,000 units by 2028. Backed by a recent $34 million funding round from investors including 8VC, Lux Capital, and Resilience17 Capital, the project will also create about 120 engineering jobs and operate continuously to meet rising regional demand. Terra’s systems include surveillance drones, tactical UAVs, and high-speed interceptor drones designed to counter emerging threats such as insurgent drone attacks.
Chief Executive Nathan Nwachuku said the expansion reflects a broader push for Africa to build its own defence capabilities amid evolving security challenges across the region. From a regional security perspective, the Accra facility positions Ghana as a hub for defence technology, potentially reducing reliance on imported systems from non-African suppliers. For Nigeria, which faces insurgency, banditry, and maritime insecurity, locally produced drones could enhance surveillance and response capabilities while conserving foreign exchange.
The economic impact extends beyond defence. The facility will create skilled engineering jobs, stimulate local supply chains, and potentially position West Africa as an exporter of defence technology. However, the sector also raises governance questions: ensuring that drone technology is used responsibly and does not fall into the wrong hands will require robust export controls and end-user agreements. Terra’s expansion, if successful, could serve as a model for other African technology firms seeking to scale across borders, demonstrating that homegrown solutions can address continental security challenges.
