Karanta was born in Damana in the Filingue Department of the present-day Republic of Niger on 1 January 1945.[1] Much of his professional career focused on education and administration.
Karanta was a professor of natural sciences at CEG 4 in Niamey from 1976 to 1995. He then became head of the Geology Pedagogical Support Laboratory from 1995 to 1996, when he entered politics and urban administration.[1]
He served as the mayor of Commune I (also known as Niamey I), one of the five urban communes which make up the city of Niamey, from 1996 until 1999.[1] He later became the Mayor of Commune I from 2010 to 2011.[1] Karanta worked as a mission officer for the High Authority for Peacebuilding (Haute Autorité à la Consolidation de la Paix) from 2011 to 2018.[1]
In March 2018, Karanta became the Governor of Niamey Capital District, which includes the city of Niamey.[1] He held the governship of the capital region from 2018 until his death in office on 23 December 2020 from COVID-19.[1][2]
Governor Issaka Assane Karanta died from COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Niger at L'Hôpital de Référence in Niamey on 23 December 2020, at the age of 75, nine days short from his 76th birthday.[1][2] Dignitaries in attendance at his funeral ceremony included Prime Minister Brigi Rafini, President of the National Assembly Ousseini Tinni, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Niger.[1] The main funeral speech was delivered by Karanta's brother, Amadou Soumaila.[1]
Karanta was buried in his hometown of Damana, Filingue Department.[1]