Why are Niger-Congo languages named after the Niger and Congo rivers?

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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.

The term "Niger-Congo" was coined by the linguist Joseph H. Greenberg in the mid-20th century to identify a single, genetically related language family.1

He chose this name to reflect the fact that these languages are predominantly spoken throughout the great river basins of the Niger and Congo rivers. By establishing this classification, Greenberg demonstrated that various groups previously studied separately—including those formerly categorized as Western Sudanic and the Bantu languages—actually share a common genetic origin.1