A NIGERIAN tech company has trumped an Israeli competitor to secure a $1.2 million security contract, marking a significant milestone for Africa’s autonomous defence sector. Terrahaptix, a startup based in Abuja, landed the five-year deal with private security outfit Nethawk Solutions to provide surveillance for two of Nigeria’s key hydroelectric power plants, located in Shiroro and Gurara.
The agreement involves the deployment of approximately 10 drones and a series of solar-powered Sentry Towers, all running on the company’s proprietary Artemis OS — an artificial intelligence platform designed to detect, classify, and respond to potential threats.
Beyond hardware, the deal also includes a six-figure annual software subscription fee, giving Terrahaptix a reliable stream of recurring revenue and a firm foothold in Nigeria’s energy security space.
AI platform gives local firm the edge
Terrahaptix CEO Nathan Nwachukwu credited the win to Artemis OS, the firm’s signature AI system. According to Nwachukwu, the software can not only spot intruders like armed bandits but also estimate their numbers and weaponry — features crucial to protecting remote energy infrastructure.
‘It’s our biggest contract to date and the first within the hydroelectric sector,’ he said. ‘We’re proud to have outperformed global competition with a solution built entirely in Nigeria.’
Integrated system drives cost and performance gains
The startup’s edge lies in its vertically integrated model. Like Apple’s tech ecosystem, Terrahaptix builds its drones, ground robots, and software to work seamlessly together. This streamlined design boosts performance and drastically reduces costs.
With 80 percent of its materials sourced locally and all manufacturing done in-house at its 15,000-square-foot Abuja facility, Terrahaptix can offer its solutions at up to 50 percent less than international rivals — a decisive factor in beating the Israeli bid.
‘We’re not just offering products — we’re delivering a complete, coherent system built for African environments,’ Nwachukwu explained.
Pan-African growth and ambition
Terrahaptix currently serves clients in five African countries and has already secured $2 million in orders for the year. The company sees this latest win as a launchpad to further dominance across the continent in the autonomous security space.
‘This deal puts us firmly on the path to becoming Africa’s go-to provider for autonomous security solutions,’ said Nwachukwu.
