Former US president, George Bush and his wife Laura will visit three African countries early next month to promote their global health programme.

"The trip demonstrates (former) president (Bush) and Mrs Bush's continued commitment to the people of Africa through the work of the George W. Bush Institute's (GWBI) Global Health program," the US embassy in Ethiopia said.

Bush will, from 1 to 5 December, visit Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia

The former American president and his wife are expected to reiterate the importance of the continued fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases and will celebrate the progress made over the past decade to address the challenges of disease, poverty and security.

The announcement follows a recent report by UNAIDS indicating that Sub-Saharan Africa recorded a 20 percent improvement in people undergoing HIV and Aids treatment between 2009 and 2010.

"In addition, their visit will spotlight new approaches to prevent cancer in women through a major announcement by Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partners," said the embassy.

Bush and his wife announced the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon health initiative, a charity that aims to create a global community to support breast cancer patients and victims around the world, in Washington D.C. last September.

In 2001, Bush announced the first commitment of his administration to fight the spread of preventable diseases in Africa.

About 4.7 million people receive anti-retrovirals through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) and Global Fund, a decade after the initiatives were announced.

About 6.6 million people in developing countries receive life saving Aids medication through private organisations, their governments and the international community.

This will be the first weeklong trip by the couple to Africa since they left the White House. Laura Bush has travelled to Africa more times than any other US first lady before her.

While in office, the Bushes travelled jointly to Africa in 2003 and 2008, while Laura travelled separately there in 2005, 2006 and 2007.