Ex-SpaceX Executive Joins Nigerian Defence-Tech Firm Terra Industries

Former SpaceX executive Ben MacWilliams has joined Nigerian defence technology company Terra Industries as Vice President of Strategy, bringing experience from his role leading Starlink’s market-access efforts across Africa.

MacWilliams previously served as SpaceX’s Director of Starlink Market Access, working across African markets and helping the satellite internet service secure regulatory approvals in more than 20 countries. His new role at Terra will focus on international expansion, licensing, regulatory approvals and government partnerships as the company targets markets across the Global South.

The appointment comes after Terra closed a $52 million seed funding round, including an additional $18 million tranche. Founded in 2024, the company develops autonomous defence and security systems, including surveillance drones, interceptor drones, sentry towers and autonomous ground robots.

Terra says its systems currently protect critical assets worth about $11 billion, particularly across the energy and mining sectors. It is also preparing to expand manufacturing through its Pax-2 production facility in Ghana, scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

MacWilliams’ appointment signals Terra’s ambition to combine locally developed defence technology with high-level regulatory and government relationships as it seeks to scale beyond Africa.