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Welcome to the Mzumbe University Institutional Repository (MU-IR). This platform collects, organizes, preserves, showcases, and archives Mzumbe University’s digitized special collections and research materials, providing open access to support learning, teaching, and world-class research.
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Recent Submissions
Access to bank credit by smallholder farmers in Tanzania: challenges, opportunities and prospects: A case of Mvomero district,
(Mzumbe University, 2015) Madafu, Elias G
Tanzania like many other developing countries highly depends on agriculture for income generation and job creation for her citizens. Owing to the sector being highly dominated by smallholder farmers, lack of finance remains the leading obstacle and yet banks – the major supplier of finance are quoted to be the least suppliers of finance to farmers despite capital adequacy and ability to lend to smallholder farmers at lower interest rates compared to other suppliers. This study therefore aimed at determining factors that affect access to bank credit by smallholder farmers; analyzing the influence of access to bank credit on the performance of smallholder farmers; examining obstacles encountered by smallholder farmers in raising bank finance and finally assessing perceptions of banks towards lending to smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Methodologically, both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were utilized in the study. Data from 162 smallholder farmers in Mvomero Districts and 3 banks operating in Morogoro region was collected and used in examining accessibility of bank credit to smallholder farmers, while descriptive statistics and the Logit regression model were employed for analysis. The Logit regression model was particularly utilized to determine factors that affect smallholder farmers‟ access to bank credit while descriptive statistics were used to analyze the obstacles and influence of access to bank credit on smallholder farmers‟ performance. The study revealed that the value of assets invested in farming activities and education were significant factors affecting smallholder farmers‟ access to bank credit and; lack of collaterals, vital bank information, proximity to banks and high interest rates were some among the major obstacles hindering smallholder farmers‟ accessibility to bank credit. Further still, access to bank credit was found to have a significant influence on the performance of smallholder farmers as it influenced both output and increase in annual returns. Among others, it was recommended that the government should establish a bank that will exclusively provide financial services to agriculturalists by establishing a credit guarantee scheme. It was also recommended that banks should develop new financial products that will cater for the needs of smallholder farmers.
Economics and development papers , Issue No.1:2012
(Economics Department ( Mzumbe University), 2012) Mveyange, Anthon; Tundui Hawa; Milanzi, Mursali A.; Kirway, Jeremiah N; Nandonde, Felix Adamu
This issue presents a diverse collection of empirical studies that bridge global macroeconomic trends, localized public policy challenges, and contemporary consumer behavior. Broadly categorized into development economics, corporate governance, and market dynamics, these papers offer critical insights into both institutional frameworks and grassroots socio-economic behavior.
The macroeconomic and microfinance sectors are examined through two distinct lenses focusing on regional growth and entrepreneurship. In the realm of development economics, "The Augmented Solow Model and Cross-Country Income Differences in Sub-Saharan Africa" utilizes an expanded growth framework to investigate the structural drivers behind per capita income disparities across the subcontinent. Shifting the focus to micro-level economics and gender studies, "The Role of Family Labour in the Profitability of Women-Owned Microcredit-Supported Enterprises: An Ordered Probity Analysis" applies econometric modelling to evaluate how a reliance on unpaid family labour influences the financial success and sustainability of female-led, microfinance-backed businesses.
The remaining papers explore the intersection of institutional structures, public health management, and international consumer markets. In corporate governance, "Social Capital, Institutional Context and Managerial Pay" investigates the determinants of executive compensation, analysing how a manager’s professional networks and the surrounding regulatory environment influence salary structures. Turning to public health and healthcare financing, "Factors Contributing to High Drop-Out Rate of Members from the Community Health Fund (CHF) in Iringa District Council" diagnoses the socioeconomic and systemic barriers causing high attrition rates in a localized Tanzanian health insurance scheme. Finally, the issue shifts to international marketing and ethical consumerism with "Consumers’ Attitude Towards Fairtrade Coffee in the UK," which examines the behavioural motivations and perceptions driving ethical purchasing decisions in a major developed economy.
The role of energy resources to production output in cement organizations in Tanzania: Evidence from selected energy resources
(International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Research, 2020) Mandara, Isack; Sungau, Joseph
In a country, energy is an important resource to be considered for development of a Nation. The total country energy consumed determines the level of development of a Nation. Being the case, countries and organization should be provided with empirical evidence on how energy resources affect production output. However, in this area, little has been researched to explain the effect of energy resources on production output. Therefore, this paper aimed at determining the role of energy resource to production output in cement organizations. The study was conducted in Tanzania and used time series data for ten (10) years, from year 2005 to year 2014. In order to assess the effect of energy resource on production output, the study used multiple linear regression model to analyze the data. From the findings of the study, it was revealed that energy resources have positive and significant effect on production output in cement organizations. Being the case, cement organizations should consider energy resource as a key and an important resource in production of cement
Exploring students' perceptions of moodle as a tool for enhancing transformative learning in a rural university in Tanzania
(International Journal of Distance Education and E-Learning (IJDEEL), 2025) Mustapha, Almasi; Machumu, Haruni; Kalimasi, Perpetua
This study examines students’ perceptions of Moodle as a tool for enhancing transformative learning in a rural setting. Specifically, it aims to examine students' ability to access and utilise the platform, identify challenges they face when using the Moodle LMS, and quantify their perceptions of the features offered by the system. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from 1,412 rural university students in Tanzania. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Relative Importance Index (RII) to rank the challenges associated with using Moodle LMS. The study revealed that a vast majority of students (96.8%) at the rural university have used Moodle LMS, primarily via their smartphones. While students appreciated the platform's flexibility for learning anytime and anywhere, the unavailability of learning materials within the LMS was the most significant challenge, followed by issues with self-enrollment, as indicated by the RII. Despite these challenges, 63% of students perceived Moodle as user-friendly and reported positive experiences. Although Moodle facilitates easy access to learning resources and supports self-directed learning, instructors need to provide updated materials and engage students in collaborative activities to foster transformative learning.
From policy to practice: Inclusion, exclusion, and the gendered realities of school re-entry programme for teenage mothers in Tanzania
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENCE AND YOUTH, 2026) Nalailaa, Stephano; Massawe, Hanifa
This study explored teenage mothers' narratives on challenges and resilience in alternative secondary education pathways (ASEP). ASEP refers to flexible secondary-level education arrangements delivered through dedicated centres that offer modular and non-formal pathways for learners who are unable to attend mainstream schools, including teenage mothers. The study employed a qualitative perspective, integrating attachment, identity, self-efficacy, and critical race theory. It involved seventy (70) teenage mothers from purposively selected ASEP centres in Morogoro, Mwanza, Mara and Singida, using interviews, questionnaires and documentary reviews. The study revealed that most teenage mothers felt that parenthood strengthened their schooling commitment but faced stigma and self-doubt due to parenting duties. Some legal and systemic barriers limit educational participation, predicting further exclusion from sustainable economic growth. Recommendations push for flexible schedules, modular curricula, and alternative learning pathways to accommodate teenage mothers' parenting responsibilities, and data-driven frameworks for monitoring ASEP's.