Namibia is the most arid country south of the Sahara, with an economy fundamentally reliant on natural resources. The most scarce resource is water, and the main economic sectors are mining, fishing, agriculture, and wildlife-based tourism. The majority of the population live in rural areas, dependent on a wide range of natural resources. Sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity are therefore essential for the future. The question is how to achieve it? One key strategy is to assess, and where necessary redesign, economic incentives affecting use of natural resources. This paper illustrates the role of economic incentives in influencing the use of land-based renewable natural resources (RNR). It identifies incentives which are being, or need to be, changed to promote more sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity.