This article offers a synthesis and a critical analysis on formal financial services used in Africa in the deployment of agricultural innovations. A literature review followed by a content analysis was conducted. After a presentation and a discussion of different credit mechanisms, the study recommends various short, medium and long-term credits adapted to the financing of various agricultural innovations while taking into account their specificities. The study shows that government intervention under certain conditions, the association of credit with agricultural extension service and insurance mechanisms, collaboration between banks and microfinance institutions are all actions which could facilitate the deployment and increase the efficiency of agricultural innovations in Africa.