17/12/2025
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Dr. Raúl Figueroa: The Boricua Engineer Building Bridges Between Puerto Rico and Africa
Born in Puerto Rico, Raúl Figueroa is not an architect by formal training—but his impact on architecture, construction, and infrastructure across Africa rivals that of many. He is a distinguished engineer, entrepreneur, and educator whose work has helped shape the built environment of East Africa while opening new doors for Boricuas on the global stage.
Dr. Figueroa earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and later completed a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. In 2002, he relocated to Nairobi, Kenya, initially to manage a major EU-funded expansion project for Strathmore University—a move that would redefine his career and global influence.
He is the Founder and CEO of Questworks, a design-build and EPC firm established in 2012. What began with four partners quickly evolved into a powerhouse: within four years, Questworks expanded into seven subsidiaries, employing over 110 professionals, and building an enviable portfolio of prestigious projects across Kenya and Uganda. Though trained as an engineer, Dr. Figueroa has effectively operated as a leader in the architectural and construction space—proving that vision and systems thinking matter as much as titles.
Beyond business, Dr. Figueroa is deeply committed to education and knowledge exchange. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Strathmore Business School and was the Founding Dean of the School of Engineering at Strathmore University. He is frequently invited to lecture professionals and academics across Africa, Europe, the United States, China, and the Middle East, sharing insights on where the global economy is heading—especially the untapped economic and social potential of Africa.
Today, Dr. Figueroa is actively promoting business development between Puerto Rico and Africa, a strategic priority for the island’s future. Through Kwakazi—a bridge company launched by Questworks—he is facilitating the expansion of Boricua companies into Africa and African companies into the Americas, using Puerto Rico as a hub of operations. Fittingly, Kwakazi means “working” in Swahili, the lingua franca of Kenya.
Dr. Raúl Figueroa’s story is living proof that Boricuas don’t just participate in the global economy—we build it, teach it, and connect it. From Mayagüez to Nairobi, from engineering to architecture, from Africa to Borikén, this is what global Boricua leadership looks like.
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Dr. Raúl Figueroa: El Ingeniero Boricua Construyendo Puentes entre Puerto Rico y África
Nacido en Puerto Rico, Raúl Figueroa no es arquitecto por formación académica, pero su impacto en la arquitectura, la construcción y la infraestructura en África compite con el de muchos. Es un ingeniero distinguido, empresario y educador cuyo trabajo ha ayudado a moldear el entorno construido del África Oriental mientras abre caminos para Boricuas en el escenario global.
Dr. Figueroa obtuvo su bachillerato en Ingeniería Eléctrica en el University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez y completó un doctorado en Ingeniería y Política Pública en Carnegie Mellon University. En 2002 se mudó a Nairobi, Kenia, para administrar un proyecto de expansión financiado por la Unión Europea en la Strathmore University, dando inicio a una trayectoria transformadora.
Es Fundador y CEO de Questworks, una firma de diseño-construcción y EPC fundada en 2012. En apenas cuatro años, la empresa se diversificó en siete subsidiarias, con más de 110 empleados y una cartera de proyectos prestigiosos en Kenia y Uganda. Aunque su base es la ingeniería, Dr. Figueroa ha liderado el sector arquitectónico-constructivo con una visión integral y estratégica.
Además de su labor empresarial, es profesor adjunto en la Strathmore Business School y fue Decano Fundador de la Escuela de Ingeniería de Strathmore University. Viaja con frecuencia ofreciendo conferencias a profesionales y académicos en África, Europa, Estados Unidos, China y el Medio Oriente, analizando el enorme potencial económico y social del continente africano.
Actualmente, Dr. Figueroa impulsa el desarrollo de negocios entre Puerto Rico y África. A través de Kwakazi, una empresa puente creada por Questworks, facilita la expansión de compañías Boricuas en África y de empresas africanas hacia América, usando Puerto Rico como centro de operaciones. Kwakazi significa “trabajando” en suajili—un nombre que define perfectamente su misión.
La historia de Dr. Raúl Figueroa demuestra que los Boricuas no solo participan en el mundo: lo conectan, lo construyen y lo transforman. De Mayagüez a Nairobi, este es el alcance real del talento Puertorriqueño.
