Youth empowerment programmes in Rwanda aim to support local entrepreneurship and economic development. Northern Rwanda has seen growth initiatives targeting young entrepreneurs, though their effectiveness on business growth and access to finance remains underexplored. A quantitative survey approach was employed with a sample size of 150 small-scale enterprises across four districts. Data were collected through structured questionnaires addressing business growth metrics and access to finance. Businesses in the study reported an average annual revenue increase of 23% following participation in youth empowerment programmes, indicating positive effects on economic performance. Youth empowerment programmes appear effective in fostering entrepreneurial activities and enhancing financial resources among small businesses in northern Rwanda. Future research should focus on identifying key factors for sustained growth. Policy makers could consider expanding access to finance opportunities alongside youth empowerment programmes to support long-term business sustainability. youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, access to finance, Northern Rwanda