Nigerian drone company Terrahaptix achieves $2M revenue in its first year, expanding to South Africa
Chinedu Bruce
Dec 18, 2024
Nigerian drone manufacturer Terrahaptix is set to begin exporting drones to South Africa to support mining operations. The company recently signed an exclusive distribution deal with DiggingDeep, a company that connects African mining operations to reliable suppliers like Terrahaptix.
Terrahaptix’s founder, Nathan Nwachukwu, shared with Techpoint Africa that the mining sector currently makes up the majority of their customer base. He explained that Terrahaptix drones will be used for site mapping, equipment inspections, and hazardous area monitoring, reducing risks for workers. Additionally, the drones will help identify mineral deposits in difficult-to-access areas and track environmental impacts, such as air and water quality.
The global use of drones in mining has grown significantly, from 44% in 2018 to 65% today, according to Mining Technology. The mining drone market, valued at $31.4 billion, is expected to reach $103 billion by 2031. Drones play a vital role in improving safety, efficiency, and data accuracy throughout the mining process.
Nwachukwu stated that Terrahaptix’s aerial drones will assist with security and site mapping, while its ground drones, such as the Duma, will be used for ground surveillance and active mining operations.
Growing Reach Across Africa
South Africa is now the fifth African market Terrahaptix has entered. The company already exports drones to the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and its home base, Nigeria. Interestingly, 75% of its sales come from outside Nigeria.
Nwachukwu believes this expansion into South Africa marks a key step toward Terrahaptix’s ambition to dominate Africa’s drone industry. He expressed confidence in the company’s future, saying:
“This is going to help us solidify our position as a drone leader on the continent. I see us dominating critical sectors like mining and oil within the next year or two.”
Record Revenue and Rising Demand
In its first year, Terrahaptix exceeded its revenue target of $1.6 million, reaching over $2 million. Nwachukwu noted that demand for Terrahaptix drones is expected to grow even further, driven by a "mining renaissance in Africa" linked to the global electric vehicle (EV) boom.
The growing need for lithium – a key component of EV batteries – is fueling this demand. The Energy Institute reports an 80% increase in lithium production between 2021 and 2023. Although EVs currently make up only 14% of global car sales, this number is expected to rise as the market matures.
Competitive Edge
Despite competition from South African companies like Aerobotics, DroneSnap, and Drone Air, Terrahaptix holds a clear advantage: its affordable pricing, which is over 50% lower than competitors.
This cost-efficiency is possible because 80% of the materials used in Terrahaptix drones are locally sourced, while sensors and cameras come from China.
With its rapid growth, Terrahaptix could soon expand beyond Africa, positioning itself as a key player in the global drone market. As the company grows, competitors and clients alike are taking note of its progress.
