What does the term Atlantic-Congo refer to in Niger-Congo classification?

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Thematic map of Africa showing the distribution of Niger-Congo language branches. Distinct colors represent language groups such as Atlantic, Mande, Gur, Kwa, Benue-Congo, and Bantu, with Bantu languages covering most of central, eastern, and southern Africa. A numbered key lists prominent languages in each area, and country borders are marked for reference. — Niger-Congo languages Map showing the branches and distribution of the Niger-Congo languages.

In the classification of the Niger-Congo language family, the term Atlantic-Congo refers to the group of languages that remain after the Mande and Kordofanian branches have been excluded.1

According to the most widely accepted hypothesis regarding the genetic origin of these languages, Mande and Kordofanian were the first two branches to diverge from the original Niger-Congo family. The remaining languages, which show less divergence from one another than they do from the Mande and Kordofanian branches, are collectively termed Atlantic-Congo.1