Terra Industries to Launch Africa’s Largest Drone Factory in Ghana Amid Rising Sahelian Insurgency

Africa’s top defence startup Terra Industries is building a 34,000 sq ft drone factory in Accra to produce 50,000 units annually by 2028.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TechCabal

A Strategic Expansion of Sovereign African Defence Manufacturing

Terra Industries, currently the most funded defence technology startup in Africa, has initiated the construction of a massive 34,000 square foot production facility in Accra. Labeled Pax 2, this factory represents the company’s first manufacturing expansion outside of its Nigerian base and more than doubles its current production footprint. The facility is strategically timed to address the rapid escalation of drone operations by militant groups in the Sahel, which have increasingly outpaced the conventional counter drone capabilities of regional militaries. By establishing a sovereign manufacturing hub, Terra aims to reduce the continent's reliance on foreign security architecture.

Addressing the Surge in Non State Actor Drone Warfare

The necessity for localized drone production is highlighted by a sharp rise in sophisticated attacks from al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Between 2023 and 2025, extremist coalitions conducted at least 89 documented drone operations, culminating in a suicide drone strike on Niamey International Airport in early 2026. Non state actors have successfully repurposed inexpensive commercial drones by equipping them with improvised explosive devices, a tactic that has exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Terra’s expansion is designed to provide African governments with the tools necessary to detect and neutralize these small, low flying aerial threats.

Diversified Aerial Systems for Surveillance and Interception

The Accra plant is expected to generate 120 engineering jobs while focusing on the production of three specialized aerial platforms. These include the Archer VTOL, a long range system designed for both surveillance and strike missions, and the Iroko UAV, which is optimized for rapid tactical deployment. Furthermore, the facility will manufacture the Kama, a newly unveiled interceptor drone. Capable of reaching speeds of 300 kilometers per hour, the Kama is specifically engineered for counter drone defense, filling a critical gap in the regional security market where offensive capabilities have traditionally overshadowed defensive measures.