Emission enhancement from single semiconductor CdSe nanoribbons by introduction of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) via Au contacts is studied. Scanning confocal microscopy is employed to investigate the emission enhancement behavior via photoluminescence measurements. Large enhancement factors of 77-130 at a peak emission of CdSe of ∼710 nm are obtained, which are ascribed to the gain-assisted propagation of the short-range mode of SPPs. Our findings open the exciting possibilities for high-efficiency SPP-enhanced light-emitting devices based on luminous bodies with finite lateral dimensions.