Revenue Diversification and Financial Sustainability in Public Universities in Tanzania: A Review with Lessons for Muslim University of Morogoro

Public universities in Tanzania face growing financial pressures due to limited government funding, increasing operational costs, and rising student enrollment. Similar challenges have been observed globally as higher education institutions struggle to balance expanding demand for education with constrained public resources. This review synthesizes literature on revenue diversification strategies adopted by public universities to achieve financial sustainability, with lessons applicable to the Muslim University of Morogoro (MUM). The review examines sources of revenue, including tuition and fees, endowments, research grants, income-generating activities, and partnerships with industry. Evidence indicates that diversified revenue streams improve universities’ financial resilience, enable strategic investments in infrastructure and academic programs, and enhance institutional autonomy. However, challenges such as regulatory constraints, limited administrative capacity, and dependence on government funding persist. The study underscores the importance of strategic planning, innovative revenue models, and effective governance to ensure sustainable financing and long-term institutional development.