Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is widely recognized as one the leading authorities on African economic history. His book, A Modern Economic History of Africa, won the 1994 Noma Award for Publishing in Africa, the continent's most prestigious book award. In 1998 he recieved Special Commendation of the Noma Award for Manufacturing African Studies and Crises. He is also the recipient of Choice Outstanding Academic Title.
He is currently Vice Chancellor and Professor of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the United States International University-Africa, a position he assumed in January 2016. Prior to that, for twenty-five years he held senior administrative and academic positions at six universities in Canada and the United States. A renowned public intellectual, he has authored hundreds of essays and more than two dozen books, including works of fiction. He is a member of numerous editorial boards and the governing boards of several university associations, and is a much sought-after international speaker.