This study explores the question of how two public universities in Africa seek to improve student access, given the decline in public funding. Using resource dependence theory as a guide, qualitative approach via semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis are used to gather data to explore the study's objective. To examine the reduction in public funding and student access, this study first examines the changes in public funding and student access at the University of the Western Cape and the University of Ghana from 2007 to 2016. This is followed by an analysis of factors that influence the changes in public funding, and their implications for student access at the two universities. The last to be explored is the actual strategies that the University of the Western Cape and the University of Ghana have employed to improve student access in the face of cutback in public funding.