Sahara Nile Desert River Niger Sahel River The bend of the Niger River was the focal point of trade in Western Sahara. Why was this river so important? OA. The Niger River is the only saltwater river in Africa. OB. The Niger did not experience annual flooding and was safe to travel on. OC. The Niger provided easy access to the Nile River and Egypt. OD. The Niger is the closest major source of water to the Sahara desert.