Nigerian autonomous systems maker and services provider Terrahaptix has scored a major deal to provide drone-based security for a local private security company.

The startup revealed over the weekend that it had secured a contract – worth $1,2million – awarded by private security firm Nethawk Solutions; which will see the drone company deploy drones and sentry towers at two hydroelectric power plants in Nigeria.

Based in Kaduna, Nethawk Solutions is a private security company whose range of services include escort services, security consultation and VIP protection to corporations, government agencies, high-net-worth individuals, critical infrastructure operators, and financial institutions.

The company is not new to drone-based security services, as it has been using the drones for some time now, for purposes that include asset protection and aerial surveillance.

Included in its contract with Tearrahaptix are software services to further enhance its drone operations at the power plants it looks after, which the security company will pay an annual subscription fee for.

“We’re excited to announce our $1.2M contract to protect two major hydroelectric power plants in Nigeria,” said an elated Nathan Nwachukwu, CEO of Terrahaptix.

“We are supplying a large fleet of drones & sentry towers for real-time threat detection & response, boosting Nigeria’s power generation efforts.

“This is our largest contract to date and our first in the hydroelectric sector.”

Terrahaptix will supply about 10 drones and several solar-powered Sentry Towers, all integrated with a software operating system called Artemis OS, which uses AI to detect and classify threats.

The company will be securing the hydroelectric power plants against bandits who have been using the plants as a hideout. Nwanchuku said the Artemis OS is capable of detecting threats like bandits, how many there are, and even their level of ammunition.

The Artemis OS was Terrahaptix’s competitive advantage in winning security contracts, Nwachuku reckons.

“It’s integrated end-to-end solutions we offer at Terrahaptix,” he said.

“From aerial systems, ground systems, maritime systems, all powered by one operating system that is built by us — it helps for a smoother experience.”

Similar to consumer retention strategies deployed by global companies like Apple, Terrahaptix gives clients an ecosystem experience that ensures hardware and software systems communicate seamlessly.

Founded by Nwanchuku and Maxwell Maduka in 2024, Terrahaptix has rapidly expanded its footprint across Africa. The company operates a 15,000-square-foot factory in Abuja’s Idu Industrial District. 

The start-up has clients in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 75% of its sales coming from outside Nigeria.

Its products include the Archer VTOL drone for aerial surveillance and the Duma ground drone for on-site monitoring. Both are powered by Artemis OS, enabling real-time threat detection and response.

Its integrated hardware-software solutions and cost-effective manufacturing, sourcing 80% of materials locally, continue to be a big boost for its rapid growth. This approach allows the company to offer products at prices more than 50 percent lower than competitors.

“Our goal is to become Africa’s leading provider of autonomous security solutions for critical infrastructure,” Nwachukwu said.

“This contract is a significant step toward that vision.”