São Luís surpasses 103,000 small businesses

São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, has surpassed 103,000 formalized small businesses. According to Sebrae data updated in September 2026, these enterprises represent approximately 32.51% of all small businesses in the state.

The local business base is composed of roughly 46,500 individual micro-entrepreneurs, 49,000 micro-enterprises, and just over 8,000 small businesses. The service sector is the primary driver, accounting for 58,077 active enterprises, followed by commerce with 32,685 registrations. Other sectors include industry (6,766), construction (5,976), and agriculture (207).

Key segments within these businesses include health and wellness, home and construction, logistics and transport, food, and fashion. While major hubs like Renascença, Turu, and Centro host a significant portion of these companies, approximately 55% of enterprises are distributed across other neighborhoods, indicating a decentralized economic presence throughout the city.