How does integrating math skills improve self-employment creation? This study combines Systematic Literature Review (SLR), bibliometric, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to find the answer. By analysing 51 key articles, the research pinpoints two main factors: math proficiency, and applied approaches. The review further emphasizes the benefits of using math for innovation adoption across various self-employment performance metrics in Tanzania, including market need analysis, financial, and investment decision performance. The novelty of this article lies in its comprehensive integration of PRISMA and bibliometrics analysis to explore how math becomes foundational to self-employment in Tanzania and bridge gaps in existing literature. Results show that publications relating to math for innovation and self-employment were cumulative increasing from 2000 to 2025 Mtebe found as the most prominent author. Additionally, Singapore, China and other OECD countries led in both math proficiency and innovation. Ultimately, this study argues that fostering a math-literate community is not only essential for individual success but also for national economic growth, as it nurtures a culture of innovation and well-versed decision-making.