Bush was pressed by radio reporters from the region about what was really driving his agenda.
He spoke of instilling hope and opportunity as an alternative to extremism, a familiar theme for him.
He also spoke about a moral imperative he shares with his country.
With backing from Congress, Bush is behind an emergency HIV/AIDS response that is the largest in history to target an infectious disease.
He is now trying to double its size, from the commitment of USD 15 billion to USD 30 billion (euro20.4 billion) over the next five years.
The majority Democrats in the House of Representatives want an even larger outlay.
"I couldn't live with myself if I didn't develop an effective strategy and call upon the American people to help," Bush said in a discussion with reporters at the White House on Thursday.
The group included a representative from every country he is visiting: Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. Bush was to leave Washington on Friday.
Bush, nearing the end of a presidency dominated by the war in Iraq, is proud of his humanitarian foreign policy, too.
He often speaks of how many Americans are unaware of their own generosity abroad, and he makes a point to publicise the country's giving nature.
His aides say he takes US policy on Africa personally.
The president also is behind a major effort to reduce malaria, a major killer of young children in Africa.
Source: DDNEWS
