In today’s world, students engage in business early as there are lots of Best Business Ideas for University Students to start even with small capital.
Many Tanzanian college students depend on government loans to make ends meet. But you can have a good life in college if you run a small business in your spare time.
Because there are so many students, there is always a ready market, especially if you are social and have a lot of friends.
Think of things you could sell to college students in Tanzania, then get going.

Best Business Ideas for University Students In Tanzania
This article will give you the 11 Best Business Ideas for University Students In Tanzania that any student can start while in college and make money.
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1. Selling Vegetables
One of the best business ideas for university students is to sell vegetables. Students don’t like to eat in hotels because cooking at home is cheaper. You can start selling Chinese vegetables, tomatoes, and spinach door-to-door in dorm rooms, private rooms, and campus hostels.
Give your customers your contact information, and if they ever need it, they can call you. You can also choose to rent a booth inside or outside of the university.
2. Selling Video Games, like PS4 and PS5
Play station is one of the most played video games for University Students in Tanzania, making it one of the best business ideas for University Students.
You can start a business within your hostel without having to rent any premises. Students like playing Playstation games such as PS4, PS5, and Xbox.
Starting this business in just a few times you will have many customers through referrals.
You need a screen, gaming pads, and Play stations console. If you have a laptop, you can start with it and raise capital to buy a PS4 console.
3. Fast Food Kiosk
Most college students have classes during the day, and many of them like to buy fast food. You can open a fast-food kiosk to sell things like chips, snacks, and soft drinks like sodas and yogurts.
Find a place close to the lecture halls, like in the student center.
You can sell things like airtime and candy, among other things. It is one of Tanzania’s Best Business Ideas for University Students.
4. Selling Second Hand Clothes (Mitumba)
One of the best business ideas for students is to sell mitumba clothes. You can buy mitumba clothes in bulk from mitumba vendors selling at wholesale price and then sell them to your friends at retail price.
If you are in Dar es salaam, the Karume market has mitumba clothes. Also, there is Mlango Moja for those who are in Mwanza.
5. Movie Selling Shop
Starting a movie shop is also among the best small business ideas for students. During free time, most university students spend their time watching movies. You can start a shop to sell movies. You only need to have a computer or a laptop with a large storage capacity.
Even without a stall, you can operate the business from your hostel. Once you have many customers, you can then open an office. Let your friends know that you are selling movies at discounted prices.
Promote your business in university students’ WhatsApp groups and post banners around the university for them to know about your business.
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Mobile Money shop |
6. Start Mobile Money Shop
Even though it’s expensive for a university student to start a Mobile Money shop, it’s a great way to make a lot of money if you can get the money to start it up.
The M-Pesa or Tigo Pesa business does well in areas with a lot of people. Again, when students get money from their parents, they do a lot of things with it. Try to save some money and start a business.
You can start a mobile money business with less than Tsh 500,000. It’s a business that will never run out of customers at the university.
7. Selling Cakes and Mandazis.
Most university students would rather make breakfast at their hostels than buy it at a restaurant. So, you could get up early and hand out snacks in the hostels.
If you can make them yourself, you can make more money than if you buy snacks in bulk and sell them. If students like your snacks, they will tell more people about you.

8. Freelance Writing and Blogging business
Most universities offer free Wi-Fi, so you can use it to start writing on your own time. You only need a computer, a way to connect to the internet, and skills in freelancing.
Many college students do freelance writing, and if you don’t know how to do it, you can learn from them.
Find out which freelance marketplaces, like Upwork and Fiverr, are the best, and then sign up for an account. One of the best small business ideas that can help you make money while you’re in college is freelance writing.
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9. Selling Beauty Products
Many college students want to look smart and know what’s going on in the world. Because of this, the cosmetics and beauty business is one of the most successful ones on campus.
You can sell things like mascara, hair treatment products, skin care products, weaves, and manicure and pedicure products. Take them with you when you go to a lecture. Show them to your classmates after class, and many of them will buy them.
You will become well-known in the cosmetics business after a while. If students like your products, they will tell their friends about you.
10. Forex Trading
Trading in currencies can be a risky business, especially with limited finances. You need to have good analytics skills and be knowledgeable about how it works.
You can get tutorials online and learn how the business works. You can also get training from your peers.
Make sure you are knowledgeable enough before you can start Forex trading.
11. Laundry Business.
Most students are too busy with schoolwork to take the time to wash their clothes. You can charge them to help them clean their clothes.
You can clean things by hand or start a dry cleaning business.
It all depends on what you want and how much money you can spend. It is one of the best business ideas for college students because they don’t need any money to start.
Conclusion – Best Business Ideas for University Students In Tanzania.
Putting your money into one of the above business ideas for university students in Tanzania will help you make extra cash for your own needs. During your free time at school, you can run a small business to make extra money.
Most businesses don’t need a lot of money to start up, and there is already a market for them.
But you need to find a good balance between university and your business.